Tendring District Council (TDC) has welcomed the successful launch of a new radio scheme that will help to make the district an even safer place to shop.

The ShopSafe initiative has already seen 18 radios distributed to shops in Clacton town centre, thanks to a £27,600 grant from the Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s (PFCC) Safer Streets 2 Fund.

The council is working with Essex Police as part of the Tendring Community Safety Partnership (CSP) on the scheme, which is being run by ShopSafe Alert Ltd.

The initiative is now set to be rolled out in Frinton, Walton, and Harwich.

Gina Placey, TDC Cabinet Member for Partnerships, said: “This is an excellent scheme that will help make shopping safer in our town centres.

“The partnership’s aims include reducing serious violence, tackling anti-social behaviour, and addressing the root causes of these issues, as well as reducing theft from businesses across the district.

“The funding from the Safer Streets 2 initiative was secured to provide 100 businesses in the district with a radio system and online application, enabling them to work collaboratively with Essex Police and TDC to reduce crime in town centres and surrounding areas.

“The radios and online application will facilitate communication among local businesses, allowing them to share pictures and intelligence that support the local policing team.”

A 24-hour help desk and face-to-face training are also provided as part of the year-long initiative.

Councillor Placey added: “As part of Our Vision, the council’s corporate plan, we are committed to working with our partners, including the PFCC and the CSP, to improve quality of life for our residents, while making our town centres safer and attracting more visitors.”

Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, welcomed the launch of the scheme.

He said: “In the Police and Crime Plan 2024-2028 we prioritise the need to work with business communities across Essex to understand and prevent neighbourhood crimes such as shoplifting and stop violence against shop workers.

“The ShopSafe initiative helps us achieve those priorities and we are pleased to support the community effort to create safe and secure retail environments in Clacton, Frinton, Walton and Harwich.”