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Safer

We are the only BID in the country with a Police team dedicated to the needs of businesses, paid for by businesses who set their priorities. Safety is the number one priority for angel.london and it’s no coincidence that the Angel is a much safer, more secure place for everyone to work and visit with a dedicated Police Team

ANGEL TOWN CENTRE POLICE TEAM

We are the only BID in the country with our own Police team dedicated to fighting town centre crime and focusing on the needs of local businesses. Our BID levy payers are involved in setting the Police team's priorities and have direct access to the team when required.

The Angel Town Centre Police Team officers are on duty seven days a week, combating crime such as shoplifting, phone and bag theft, mugging, cashpoint theft and anti-social behaviour. Building valuable relationships with businesses, the Angel Town Centre Police Team pride themselves on getting to know staff and understanding their security concerns and sharing intelligence about known offenders.

The Team run exclusive training sessions for BID businesses in self-defence, reducing shrinkage and shoplifting, and safer cycling. Our Sergeant hosts a weekly 'open surgery' for businesses to discuss any crime or security concerns.

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    highly visible and effective deterrent
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    undercover stings, spotting and catching thieves and muggers
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    creating a valuable link between police and the business community

OUR CRIME FIGHTING INITIATIVES

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ANGEL PUBWATCH

Face-to-face and online working by the licensed community

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1. ANGEL PUBWATCH

We hear the Met Police think our PubWatch group is the best in the capital whilst Islington Licensing Team says it's the model PubWatch Group for London.

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.

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ANGEL SHOPWATCH

Using technology to help retailers look out for each other

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2. 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.

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COMMUNITY SECURITY ZONE

The business community working together to promote safety

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3. COMMUNITY SECURITY ZONE

angel.london works with the Angel’s key business stakeholders such as Islington Borough Police, 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.

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SAFETY & SECURITY TRAINING

Training hundreds of local employees in safety each year

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4. SAFETY & SECURITY TRAINING

What better experts in safety than the Police? Who better to train businesses they know well in security than the Angel Town Centre Police Team?

Dedicated to the needs of businesses, the Angel Town Centre Police Team run sessions in 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.

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BUSINESS CRIME PARTNERSHIP

Joining up businesses to combat crime

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5. BUSINESS CRIME PARTNERSHIP

Our Business Crime Partnership has a comprehensive view of initiatives to reduce crime and has developed links between all the key agencies delivering them - our Angel Town Centre Police Team, 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.

2018 CRIME STATISTICS
Over 600 hours
of Angel Town Centre Police Team officer time is spent on the streets every month

The team are solving a whopping 35% of crimes which is only achieved by getting to know shop staff, likely targets, and watching carefully who’s doing what…
The worst offenders
caught and charged, resulting in custodial sentences and banning orders

Our Police Team really do 'put the pieces together' to solve crime and catch the most prolific offenders. The Team works tirelessly to ensure strong evidence is obtained that leads to multiple charges for the worst offenders. They make the connections between seemingly unrelated crimes.

Over 100 businesses
trained in how to deal with an acid-attack in a pub or club setting

Representatives from over 100 local businesses attended our innovative and interactive acid-attack simulation event. Participants learnt essential 'first responder' skills that could save the life of a victim.

Over 150 businesses
participating in our ShopWatch and PubWatch WhatsApp Groups

This is the quickest and simplest way to share intelligence and images and fight crime. We're registering new businesses every day.

Over 200 crimes detected
meaning a detection rate of 35% - one of the highest in London

The detection rates for Angel really are impressive. By having a dedicated Police team means they can go that 'extra mile' to solve crime and that's what delivers impressive results.

Over 40 incidents
instantly responded to per week throughout the year

Don’t be nervous to call the Angel Town Centre Police Team hotline if there’s anything you think should be reported - it will always be taken seriously

POLICE CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION

In an emergency, dial 999 – if a crime is occurring now, someone is in immediate danger / or there is risk of serious damage to property, a suspect for a serious crime is nearby or if there is a traffic collision involving injury or danger to other road users.

For non-emergency calls, dial 101.

The Met Police has a range of  communication channels for businesses and residents to interact with the force:

Twitter

@Metpoliceuk – Metropolitan Police

@LondonProtect – Met Police / City of London / British Transport Police anti-terror

@MPSIslington – Islington Police

@MPSAngelTnC – Angel Town Centre Police Team

For non-emergency matters, businesses within the Angel BID area in the first instance can contact the Angel Town Centre Police Team on 07769 586 996.

Thank you so much angel.london for running the Forged ID workshop. It was THE most interesting session. Everyone enjoyed it and walked away much the wiser than when we arrived - Joanna Theoklitou, CoffeeWorks Project

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I thought the (acid attack simulation training) event was really good and very Informative. Definitely feel like I know what to do now if it ever happens. All in all a very good event - Manager, Radicals & Victuallers

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Makes me feel grateful to be part of the Angel BID - Habib El Dabs, Owner, Ladybird Bar

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