Meg Launches Crime Reduction Initiative

Meg has joined Hackney Police, Hackney Council and twenty local businesses to launch a new project aimed at reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in and around Mare Street.

The Information Sharing Agreement is led by Hackney Central Safer Neighbourhoods policing team and supported by Hackney Council and the Town Centre Partnership Forum. The agreement shares details of individuals convicted for offences such as shoplifting, pick-pocketing and anti-social behaviour, with security personnel from participating stores in the Narroway area.

When a known suspect enters a store, individual retail outlets will be notified over the Business Watch shop radio link - either by the shop that first comes into contact with the suspect, or by the Council's CCTV team. The security teams will then be able to monitor the situation closely to prevent criminal activity.

Meg officially launched the agreement at the end of January, and took the opportunity to praise the work of Hackney Police:

“Today represents a double triumph - we are celebrating businesses working together and excellent neighbourhood policing, which are both helping to tackle crime. We have a police team in every ward in Hackney, all of whom have a good relationship with their local residents. That's something to be applauded.”

Chief Inspector Jane Easton also commended the work of Hackney Central Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT), adding:

"I'd like to thank PC Ferhat Murad from the Hackney Central SNT for all his hard work on this. I hope this project will reduce retail crime, allow local businesses to thrive and improve the retail experience of those using the shops in and around Mare Street".