Newcastle Labour£300,000 plan to tackle city retail crime

£300,000 plan to tackle city retail crime

Home Office Minister Alan Campbell MP visited Kenton in August to launch the Government’s New Retail Crime Action Plan.

The plan includes a £300,000 Small Retailers Fund to buy security devices such as alarms, UV Markers or radios. During the visit, the Minister met local councillors Ged Bell, Stephen Lambert, Jim Cousins MP, shopkeepers and Kenton residents who have all backed the new scheme to help crime hit shopkeepers to tackle thieves and burglars.

To date, Kenton Bar Estate has seen a big drop in anti social behaviour following work by the police and councillors to improve the environment and put back in CCTV cameras. At nearly North Kenton Shopping Centre, work is beginning to improve the environment and increase shop security following reports of criminal damage and anti social conduct.

Councillor Stephen Lambert, Labour’s Spokesperson on Neighbourhoods and Public Protection said:

“The Labour Government, to its credit, is providing real help to small businesses both in Kenton and elsewhere across the city, with this fund to pay for improved scruity”.

The scheme is part of a nationwide £5m fund to help small shopkeeprs in deprived neighbourhoods to invest in prevntative crime and security measures.