Back | HomeNews

Lincoln City Centre Partnership launches new radio scheme and security group strategy

Lincoln City Centre Partnership launches new radio scheme and security group strategy

Lincoln City centre businesses are tackling crime in the High Street with a new voice and data radio system installed by Grimsby-based company Lincs Radio. The new system was launched at the University of Lincoln on Friday 25th June 2004 as part of the partnership's redefined security strategy brings together the work of Lincolnshire Police, City of Lincoln Council and the partnership in a single co-ordinated approach to City Centre Safety and Security. The Lincoln City Centre Partnership, which currently includes over 150 businesses, has authorised the move from a standard radio system to a more modern, voice and data system. Designed to promote a fully informed anti-crime and safety network the new system is providing up to the minute information to key security personnel on the ground.

The new radio messaging system comprises of ICOM handportable two way radios, base-station radio and talk-through repeater, all linking into a central computer. The heart of the system is ICOM UK’s ‘RMS+ Management Software’. This uses Fast Frequency Shift Keying (FFSK) data the RMS+ software to allow a control room operator to send text messages regarding criminal activity to individual shops or groups of businesses, Police and CCTV operators in milliseconds.

“Creating a safe City Centre is important for all of us” says Matt Corrigan, City Centre Manager for the partnership. “The Strategy not only addresses issues such as shoplifting but also Lincoln’s growing night time economy and how we all work together to make the City Centre a safer place for customers and the people who work here. With the support of Lincolnshire Enterprise we have been able to upgrade our radio network and encryption option to ensure a higher level of security covering the City Centre and surrounding areas.

The Strategy also introduces improved information and intelligence gathering, with a central database and the appointment of a new administrative assistant to collate data.

The safety co-ordinator for the Partnership is Bob Dever, a retired Metropolitan Police Officer, who says “Lincoln is a safe city by any standards. However, the new strategy is going to make things even better, bringing together over 150 businesses and organisations who are members of the

Partnership’s Security Group. The strategy will give them the means of working together, of gathering intelligence, of sharing information and working in co-ordination against offenders.

Michael Shuck the National Business Crime Co-ordinator addressed the launch event for the British Retail Consortium and PC Paul Valentine who is the Police Liaison Officer for the Northamptonshire Retail Crime Initiative.

Roger Melton of Lincs Radio said, 'It is clear that this new method of signalling and data is going to be more of an importance as time goes on. The use of text messaging relieves the user from ‘keeping one ear on the radio’ all the time. You can send messages far more quickly and securely by FFSK than you can by voice. It is very hard to intercept an FFSK signal and decode it, whereas a simple voice message is in danger of being overheard by a receiver/scanner.'

Icom UK Marketing - marketing@icomuk.co.uk

05/07/2004
Local Produce | Local Food | Farmers' Markets | Farm Shops | Veg Box Schemes | Pick Your Own Farms | Motorhome hire in Scotland | Pet Friendly Motorhome hire in Scotland | Motorhome Hire in Scotland | Motorhome Touring Treasures in Scotland | Motorhome Cycling Holidays | Motorhome Repairs in Scotland