A FAMOUS British seaside resort is rolling out a walkie-talkie scheme to crack down on its high rates of antisocial behaviour.
A network of 100 walkie-talkies will be give out to beach lifeguards, shop owners, businesses, pubs, CCTV operators and police to use, with hopes of improving safety in the area.
The Cornish town has been struggling with anti-social and boozy behaviour[/caption]
The network of walkie-talkies will be rolled out to lifeguards on beaches like Fistral[/caption]
Charlie Hester is the owner of Clover Club in Newquay who is among the shop and business owners who have also been given walkie-talkies[/caption]
Drunk tourists and shoplifting have become a significant issue in the town of Newquay in Cornwall.
Known for some of the country’s most beautiful beaches, it has become a popular resort and one of the most visited coastal town’s in the UK.
It has subsequently become troubled, with its beaches being used all year round.
Use of walkie-talkies will therefore enable people to easily stay in touch if potential problems arise, and thereby prevent the spread of troublemakers.
Alcohol-related problems have become particularly common in Newquay, such as under age drinking or rowdy stag dos.
This kind of anti-social behaviour and low level crime is something Newquay’s Business Improvement District (BID) hopes to combat, along with the police and crime commission.
Newquay BID manager, Mark Warren, said: “This could literally be someone causing a problem at the beach and heading to the high street.
”If anybody is being silly or dangerous we would be aware of them rather than it being too late.
“We can link between the shops any ASB (antisocial behaviour) and we can link in anything related to low level crime.”
Implementation of the walkie-talkies is not intended to replace calling 999 or 111, but aim to make businesses feel safer.
Mr Warren added: “It is more of a family town, a wellbeing place. But on top of that I want to make sure it is a very safe place.”
“It is an umbrella approach to the town. We have got a clear safety business that are in communication with each other. We have got a safety blanket that we can utilise.”
The new walkie-talkies come in addition to 80 that have already been distributed to shops and pubs in the town.
Charlotte Larkin runs The Pet Centre, a family business that have now been using the walkie-talkies for a year.
She has witnessed how the new system has helped minimise the problem of shoplifting from businesses and the town in the area.
Charlotte said: “It has been very helpful.
“Even if we see someone who is prolific we will let the shops know.
“As soon as they know they have been watched they won’t try it.”
Staff at The Pet Centre generally use the walkie-talkies at least twice a week to warn businesses of shoplifters, which Charlotte considers have made a good difference in the community.
“We had a shoplifter a couple weeks ago and we posted it on the Newquay pages and within a couple of days the guy came in and paid his bill.”
She added: “It opens up communication where you wouldn’t really have it. It makes it safe. It is a good solid community down here.”
The Fistral Surf School is another business that has been given a walkie-talkie.
Its manager, Jenny Brian, said: “They are a good initiative to have in Newquay and it is a good way to communicate with businesses especially on anti-social behaviour.
“We haven’t had any problems with it but it is a busy town so it is good to have procedures in place.”
Cornwall Council has been contacted for comment.
Charlotte Larkin at The Pet Centre in Newquay has seen the benefits of the walkie-talkies this past year[/caption]
The walkie-talkies are good to have as a preventative measure on the beach which is a tourist destination[/caption]
