Our Business Crime Officers, introduced in 2020, have already proved valuable to retailers and other customer facing businesses, being on-hand to help staff handle shoplifters and those creating anti-social behaviour.

2. ANGEL PUBWATCH

Representing the 38 licensed premises in the BID, our PubWatch was formed out of licensees' determination to work together with Police and other agencies so the Angel stays a safe and enjoyable night out. Licensees and partners meet once a month to review crime levels and discuss activities that are beneficial for all.

Part of PubWatch is a secure 'PubWatch WhatsApp' group that enables licensed premises to share information in 'real-time' about problem customers and potential threats, thus helping diffuse issues before they arise.

The work of Angel PubWatch has again helped Angel to be awarded the prestigious 'Purple Flag' signifying a well-managed and safe night time economy. The annual Purple Flag assessment - supported by the Home Office - scrutinises all aspects of the evening economy; the level of policing and cleansing, the mix of night time activities, transport, public lighting, facilities and even the level of partnership working between the statutory authorities responsible for the area.

3. ANGEL SHOPWATCH

Angel ShopWatch is a closed WhatsApp group that enables retailers in Angel town centre to share information about suspicious activities and offenders in 'real-time'. The WhatsApp group allows retailers to quickly spread warnings to each other about known shoplifters heading their way or incidents in their area.

Shopwatch has led to arrests and prosecutions for retail crime, but more importantly it has prevented many offences being committed in the first place, through effective and timely information sharing.

4. COMMUNITY SECURITY ZONE

angel.london works with the Angel’s key business stakeholders such as the Business Design Centre, RBS, Angel Central, 02 Academy, Hilton Hotels, Derwent, Cancer Research and large high street retailers & licensed premises to develop and drive emergency planning and security because the Angel is a busy, thriving place.

This means:
• showing every single BID business how to be vigilant and keep an eye out for anything unusual
• preparing the working community to manage the consequences of a major incident, keeping staff and customers safe.

angel.london hosts regular free events, in conjunction with security agencies and partners, for all businesses within the BID area encompassing a range of topics including counter terrorism, acid attacks and fraud awareness.

5. SAFETY & SECURITY TRAINING

Dedicated to the needs of businesses, our safety and security training sessions cover personal security, how to protect premises within the law, avoiding cyberfraud and how to manage business practices to reduce the threat of crime.

Session are run for a minimum of ten people and can be from a single organisation or a collection of businesses.

6. BUSINESS CRIME REDUCTION PARTNERSHIP

Our Business Crime Reduction Partnership has a comprehensive view of initiatives to reduce crime and has developed links between all the key agencies delivering them - Met Police Counter-Terrorism Officers, Islington Council's Emergency Planners and stakeholder businesses.

Chaired by Matthew Crawford (owner of successful independent Angel retailer 'After Noah'), the Business Crime Partnership meets regularly to direct and develop cohesive policy and initiatives.