Setting up a What's App chat group for West Wickham High Street and Station Road.

West Wickham team have spoken with and given a letter over to almost all the business along West Wickham high street and Station Road over the past few days, this is still ongoing to reach every business in the coming days.

The reason for this is to look at setting up a communication group, via WhatsApp, solely for business and retail stores in West Wickham town centre. The idea has been suggested by staff whom the local police had visited over the past few months. 

Setting up a WhatsApp group chat, will be a fantastic tool to alert staff on the high Street on matters that are taking place locally. Eliminating any issues of isolation between individuals working on the high street. Hopefully assisting businesses further by having a better way to network and share information, building on the relationship between those who work so hard to make West Wickham a beautiful destination for everyone.

The alternative would be a yearly subscription for a local Shop Safe radio system. This idea provides a similar method but using mobile devices which may be a cost saving way of communicating with those working on the high street. 

What it’s for: 

Information sharing for the high street’s commercial / retail businesses only.

To keep connected with neighbouring businesses, by linking into what’s happening on and around the high street and identifying local issues taking place. 

Communicating events and alerting each other, safeguarding staff.

What it’s not for: 

Not for any resident or local groups or for advertising goods and services. 

Not for sharing anyone’s personal details, names, addresses or contact numbers. etc

Not for the reporting of crimes, as police will not be part of the group chat.

This is totally voluntary, meaning that businesses can choose to become involved or not.

Police will not be a member of this group. 

Our involvement is only in supporting it's reach to all business and getting it established.

Police will not be monitoring or making comments on this Group Chat, all our communications with the ward will be via Met Engage.