BRIGG & DISTRICT SET TO BENEFIT FROM NEW CRIME-TACKLING SCHEME

Brigg Town Business Partnership was represented at the launch of a new initiative to prevent crime.
North Lincolnshire Council and Humberside Police are backing the scheme, which Brigg's Coun Rob Waltham, pictured above, says will be a deterrent to potential offenders.

Trade Watch launches to prevent doorstep crime

FROM KIRSTY WESTFIELD, NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL

North Lincolnshire Council, working with Humberside Police, has launched Trade Watch to help stop residents in rural areas being a target of crime.
The voluntary scheme has been created following reports of doorstep crime across the county.
It will enable residents to feel safe in their community and send out a clear message that rogue traders and criminal activity will not be accepted.
As part of the scheme, residents will agree not to commit to any work offered on the doorstep and report any suspicious companies or activities to the police.
Residents in rural areas can sign up to the scheme, once they do, they will receive a Trade Watch window sticker and supporting information.
Where full streets or villages take part in the scheme, street signs are available for them to display.
Living in a Trade Watch area will reduce the risk of being approached or becoming a victim of doorstep crime.
To find out more about Trade Watch, contact the council’s Safer Neighbourhoods team on 01724 244665 or email saferneighbourhoods@northlincs.gov.uk
Cllr Rob Waltham, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “Trade Watch has been set up to act as a deterrent to potential offenders and warn them that such behaviour will not be tolerated in North Lincolnshire. It is also there to encourage communities to look out for each other and stand together against rogue traders and doorstep crime. This includes everything from people offering to resurface your drive and clean your gutters to taking waste illegally to the tip for you.
“Often those who are most vulnerable in our communities are targeted by these mindless criminals, which is completely unacceptable. People should feel safe in their own homes. Through this scheme we hope to reduce door step criminal activity and allow our communities to thrive.
“If you live in a rural area in North Lincolnshire and feel you could benefit from Trade Watch, get in touch with Safer Neighbourhoods.”
Inspector Tim Harvey at Humberside Police, said: “We are delighted to support the council in their launch of Trade Watch and we are committed to working with Safer Neighbourhoods and other partner agencies to ensure Trade Watch becomes part of rural communities and significantly reduces the number of victims of doorstep crime.
“Trade Watch sends a clear message to rogue traders, fraudsters and distraction burglars that community awareness of their activities has been raised extensively and their criminal behaviour will not be tolerated.”
Areas that are currently eligible for Trade Watch are:

• Brigg and Wolds
• Barton
• Ferry
• Ridge
• The Isle of Axholme
• Burton and Winterton
• Broughton and Appleby

If successful, it will be opened up across the whole of North Lincolnshire.