Slough Business Watch
Founded in 1920, the Slough Trading Estate is one of the largest business parks in Europe, covering some 200 hectares and housing just over 700,000 square metres of business premises. More than 450 occupants are serviced by a range of facilities including shops, banks, a fitness centre, a post office and even a medical centre.
In past years, the trading estate has suffered from the levels of crime seen in most business districts and this became a concern for its local business community. In 1994, the estate's owner, Slough Estates (rebranded SEGRO in 2007) set up a Business Watch scheme to combat crime and advise local businesses on security. At the same time, it formed a close working partnership with Reliance Security Services.
Initially, Reliance was tasked with patrolling the estate using one dedicated vehicle, and offering occupants immediate assistance in the event of a criminal activity. The effectiveness of this approach proved such that, in no time at all, the fleet was expanded to encompass another three vehicles. But the solution developed by Reliance, Slough Estates Business Watch and Thames Valley Police did not stop here. CCTV cameras were installed on the estate in 2001 and Reliance started providing a 24x7 monitoring service from a control room at Business Watch’s premises on the estate.
In 2002 Business Watch and Reliance joined forces with Thames Valley Police in an initiative which involved sharing information about, and pictures of, incidents caught on camera with undercover police officers. This enabled the officers to react quickly to crimes and resulted in more arrests. This relationship has been cemented further by the installation of a direct CCTV and radio link with all TVP control rooms and even officers on patrol.
In the last nine years, the partnership between Reliance Security Services, Slough Estates Business Watch and Thames Valley Police has clearly been instrumental in reducing crime on the Slough Trading Estate. Indeed, the results have been such that Slough Estates Business Watch has gained Home Office recognition, and is now regarded as a role model for other Business Watch schemes.