There has been an Southport shopwatch radiolink system, run by Apex Radios, for many years, but to bring it up to date and give it far more value The BID is working with Apex to replace all the existing analogue radios with the latest digital handsets. For the first time, the radiolink network ill link in with the town?s CCTV system so that all radio users can speak directly to the camera operators.

All existing and new members of the system will also be given unique log in to a crime information sharing website and mobile app called DISC which allows users to see and share photos of known offenders, post crime reports and see and post live alerts of shoplifters and others engaging in criminal and anti-social activity in the town. The whole system, including the digital radios monitored by police and CCTV, DISC and the shopwatch and pubwatch forum meetings, will provide Southport businesses and their customers with the most up to date integrated protection against crime and anti-social behaviour.

The BID has negotiated for the membership rates for hiring one of the digital radios from Apex to be frozen at ?20 per month, as it has been for the last 5 years. There are no extra costs for the DISC system which is available free to all businesses. Apex will be distributing the new handsets on the 18th and 19th May ? all existing members will receive letters soon with details. If you want to sign up for the next system or find out more about how to get DISC ? contact Nick White on 01704 538382.