Joint Action in Rawtenstall to foil crime

Date published: 03/05/2008

SEVENTY businesses in Rawtenstall are joining forces to ban anyone who commits crime from all their premises.

PC Phil Buck, PC Frank Romasanta and PCSO John Pepper have set up the Rawtenstall Business Watch which was officially launched on Friday 2nd May. 

Any offenders who commit crime at any of the premises, will be banned from entering Bank Street - where many of the premises are - and any others on the scheme for a minimum of 12 months.

Asda and Tesco are among those who have signed up for the scheme, which has been strongly welcomed by local shop owners.

Crime prevention officer PC Phil Buck said: "Anyone who commits a crime including shop lifting, burglary, criminal damage or anti-social behaviour will be banned from all the businesses.

"When a crime is committed all the businesses will be notified.
People who come to the attention of the police will be sent a warning letter. If they commit another offence an exclusion notice will be served on them by one of our police officers."

For just £10 businesses get a sign in the window to say they are members and any leftover cash will be used to fund an internal CCTV camera which will be loaned out to vulnerable businesses.

Anyone who has not yet signed up for the scheme can do so by calling PC Phil Buck on 01706 237481.