The aim of School Watch is to reduce Crime and Vandalism in and around school sites within the Telford & Wrekin District.
To achieve this aim Business Watch Guarding Ltd work flexibly and proactively to prevent, deter and detect crime.
Background
Telford & Wrekin Council became a Unitary Authority in April 1998 and gained responsibility as a Local Education Authority, LEA, for schools within the area. The Authority suffers very little crime and vandalism on school sites compared to some Authorities, however the Council intended to reduce the number of incidents that do occur.
Schools Watch operates in a manner that reflects Telford & Wrekin’s commitment to the community. There are 4 Corporate Priorities which run through all aspects of the Councils’ activities which Schools Watch support either directly or indirectly these are:-
- Improving Prosperity & Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion.
- Promoting the interests of Children & Young People.
- Promoting a Safe, Clean & Sustainable Environment.
- Building a Modern Effective & Efficient Council.
Following a successful pilot scheme in the Summer of 1999 Business Watch Guarding Ltd was awarded the prestigious Security Contract to provide security patrols to 85 schools in the Telford & Wrekin area. Having served the scheme for over 5 years in 2007 the company successfully re tendered to supply services for a further 5 year contract. The scheme is operated in conjunction with Telford & Wrekin Council and West Mercia Police. The schools are serviced by Business Watch Guarding Ltd’s mobile patrols in liaison with Local Police Beat Officers and the West Mercia Crime Reduction Departments.
Sites are monitored by computerised site verification systems the latest Incident Tracking Software is used to record incidents and identify potential targets for crime and vandalism. Patrol Vehicles are fitted with GPS and are controlled by the companies 24hr Control Room facility supplied by Eurotech. www.eurotechmonitoring.com
The scheme was originally created in response to the damage and burglaries suffered to school property primarily during school holidays. Such was the initial reduction in these activities through providing security cover and alarm response that the scheme now operates 365 days a year. 95% of participating schools and educational establishments involved in the watch now avail themselves of the all inclusive key holder facility thereby freeing up valuable time and responses’ of both staff and caretakers outside school hours. Regular client and individual school liaison by the companies Operations Team plus adherence to strict Service Level Agreements combined with selective patrolling based on criminal intelligence contributes to the ongoing success of this scheme.
For additional information on this innovative scheme and how to duplicate this success in your area email us on
