Newmarket - Joining together to make town centre safer

Suffolk Constabulary is now live on the ShopSafe Alert platform, sharing key updates with businesses in Newmarket town centre.

A three-month trial bringing together Suffolk Constabulary and Love Newmarket BID started on Monday 2nd February and aims to make the town centre safer for businesses, residents and visitors.

What will we share?

•         Details of prolific or relevant adult offenders who pose a risk to businesses.

•         Names and images of wanted people.

•         Photographs of unidentified adult suspects of local crimes.

•         Updates on individuals with Police orders and conditions frequenting the area.

•         Crime prevention advice to help protect your business.

•         Successful convictions and positive outcomes.

This is all part of the police’s commitment to working with partners to keep Newmarket safe.

Together, Police and members of Love Newmarket BID hope that use of the Alert platform will make a real difference in achieving this.

Forest Heath Locality Inspector Tim Scott welcomed the trial:

“This is an opportunity to test how working together on this digital platform will better protect businesses in the town centre.

“The ShopSafe Alert platform is tried and tested and by joining with local retailers and other businesses we can provide much-needed alerts and information instantly. This benefits not only businesses but our campaign against criminals, particularly shoplifters. This in turn benefits residents and visitors by making Newmarket a safer place to shop and enjoy other town centre venues.

“The police have long enjoyed a close working relationship with the Newmarket Bid and this is an opportunity to utilise technology to offer our knowledge and expertise to our partners.

“We shall be evaluating results of the trial over the next three months to determine what actions we can take in the future but our message is clear: we are determined to do everything we can to deter shoplifters and other people who break the law in the town centre.”

Natalie Robinson, Manager of Love Newmarket Bid said:

"Giving Newmarket police officers direct access to the ShopSafe Alert platform is a really positive step for the town.

“It allows offences to be monitored in real time, enables officers to upload bulletins about wanted offenders and ensures vital information is shared quickly with our businesses.

“Most importantly, it strengthens the relationship between the BID, local traders and the police, helping us work together to create a safer and more supportive environment for everyone in Newmarket."

Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore added: 

“This is a really excellent example of how a joint approach can help tackle criminality in our town centres.

“The retail sector is a very important component of our economy and it is critical we do all we can to support a strong and vibrant economy; this is a key priority in my Suffolk Police and Crime Plan.

“I am pleased to see this innovative trial of new technologies and improved data sharing, coupled with better crime prevention, to prevent retail crime. This really does benefit the whole community and helps make Newmarket a safer place in which to live, work, travel and invest.”