A NEW member of the team has joined inSwindon Business Improvement District's town centre ambassadors.

Roxy Theobald brings a decade of retail experience to her new role after leaving her previous job at Debenhams to be part of the BID group.

Her role involves supporting more than 470 businesses which are set up all around the area.

She will also work closely with Wiltshire Police to reduce crime levels in the centre through the BID’s Daysafe, Nightsafe and Pubwatch schemes.

inSwindon BID CEO Di Powell talked about her first impression of Roxy and how the team has developed over the years. She said: “We’re delighted to welcome Roxy to the team.

"She has thrown herself straight into the role and on her first day was greeting and welcoming visitors with ice lollies on what was one of the hottest days of the year.

“It’s our aim to ensure that the town centre a pleasant experience for visitors and to support our BID members with the day-to-day management of the town centre.

“The street team are our eyes and ears.

"Through the successful radio network system and working closely in partnership with Swindon Borough Council and Wiltshire Police, we are pleased that street drinking, begging and rough sleeping has been reduced significantly.

“Plus. our extensive events programme included the hugely successful Urban Beach at Wharf Green.

"All of this ensures that we are a great place to work, shop and relax, meeting our objectives in helping to raise the profile of Swindon town centre.”

The town centre street ambassadors play an integral role in helping to boost awareness of what Swindon's central shopping area offers and they provide operational assistance on a daily basis as well as ensuring that they are visible to shoppers around the pedestrianised streets.

Issues they deal with range from lost children and shoplifting to public safety control and event management.

Their goal is to do their best to ensure that the town centre is safe any enjoyable for all visitors.

The street team ambassadorial role has been in existence since the BID was first formed in 2007.

It was initially set up to support the thousands of visitors who went into the town centre, offering helpful advice and providing a warm welcome to everyone.

Anyone who would like to know more around the role of the street team should visit the town centre website.

Visit www.swindontowncentre.co.uk