TRAINING to help shop staff spot thieves saved town centre businesses more than £100,000 last year.

The loss prevention scheme from inSwindon BID’s street team is part of a bigger initiative called Daysafe, providing a radio network to businesses around Swindon to share information between stores, backed up by a secured intelligence-sharing website.

Jamie Quinton, a street team ambassador who runs the town centre loss prevention training, said “It’s vital that we support our retailers in ways that allow them to thrive and we’re thrilled that this training is working.

“The £100k saving has increased from £72k in 2018 because we’re working smarter in how we share intelligence across our network.

“As more businesses join the DaySafe scheme, we’re building and sharing insights to increasingly prevent and deter crime in this community.”

Monthly meetings between DaySafe members and landlords in the PubWatch initiative keep police and retailers up to date on any security issues in the area.

PC Paul Bezzant of the Swindon South Community Policing Team said: “The DaySafe scheme has been a really positive initiative for Swindon town centre.

“It is very encouraging to hear that it has helped retailers save a significant amount of money in the past year through a more joined up approach and improved sharing of intelligence amongst businesses to deter shoplifters and other criminals.

“We will continue to work closely with inSwindon BID to support our town centre and ensure it remains a safe place for people to work, visit and shop.

“We are fully committed to tackling anti-social behaviour and crime and would urge anyone who witnesses crime in the town to report it to us immediately.”

The inSwindon BID Company represents more than 470 Swindon town centre traders with the aim of helping to create a vibrant town centre in which businesses prosper, communities thrive and visitors value the centre as a destination of choice.

Chief executive Di Powell said: “I’m delighted by the success of our DaySafe scheme. Our partnership working with Wiltshire Police, Swindon Borough Council and all DaySafe and NightSafe members ensures Swindon is a safe and friendly place to visit.”