News

The continued success of the PARC (Poole Against Retail Crime) scheme is being celebrated as Poole town centre gears up for another busy Christmas period. Over 80 retailers and nearly 30 public houses within the town centre are now working together with Dorset Police, Poole Town Centre Management, the Borough of Poole, and the Dolphin Shopping Centre in a bid to make Poole a safer place in which to shop, work and live. To date over 80 individuals have been excluded from shops in the town centre.

The PARC scheme was established in April 2002 and currently boasts over 110 members. Based on a proven approach used in other town centres, it aims to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour within the Borough and to help combat shoplifting or reduce violent crime. Members share information about and photographs of persistent offenders, and when an individual is banned from one premises, they are automatically banned from all member premises.

Manager of the PARC scheme, PC Paul Shorrocks says, "The PARC scheme continues to grow from strength to strength, and an impressive proportion of retailers and businesses within the town now support the partnership. This has meant that efforts to keep trouble-makers out of Poole are now more effective than ever before, and that Poole is a safer town centre environment."

Poole town centre manager Helen Crawford says, "Safety is a priority to Poole town centre management, and we are pleased to be working closely with organisations within the community to combat antisocial behaviour. We are looking forward to welcoming shoppers and evening visitors to a safe town throughout the festive period."

Members of the public can find regular updates about the PARC scheme on Dorset Police's website, www.dorset.police.uk.