More than 28 pubs and shops in Tewkesbury town have come together to help reduce business crime.

The Tewkesbury Safe shop and pub watch scheme brings together local traders and licensees to tackle crime such as shoplifting or anti-social behavior (ASB), supported by Tewkesbury Borough Council’s Community Safety Partnership.

Most of Tewksbury’s night economy is enjoyed safely and sensibly. However, night-time economy Tewkesbury Safe will now operate a yellow and red card scheme for anyone behaving anti-socially at member-licensed premises.

Staff at members’ premises will be able to issue yellow cards to offenders involved in crime, disorder or ASB in or near their premises. Any offenders, including those on licensed premises, will be subject to an independent panel to decide whether they receive a warning or exclusion.

Cllr Alex Hegenbarth, Lead Member for Community and Housing at Tewkesbury Borough Councilsaid: “I’m delighted to see Tewkesbury Safe launched. Earlier this year, Tewkesbury was named one of the safest places to live in the UK. However, we are not complacent and are working with partners for safer communities. Crimes such as shoplifting and anti-social behavior can have a serious impact on staff and customers, as well as a business’s bottom line and reputation.

“Local businesses are encouraged to join the scheme and display a Tewkesbury Safe membership sticker. We hope this will reassure customers that businesses are working with city and district councils and the police to provide a safer environment for all.”

The scheme is supported by Tewkesbury County Council and Tewkesbury Borough Council. The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for Gloucestershire awarded £15,000 to fund the scheme, which helped supply and install Tewkesbury Safe membership materials, radios, an Ofcom licence, site assessments and reporting tools.

Inspector Grant White of the Tewkesbury Borough Policing Team said: “Tewkesbury Safe members will benefit from reduced levels of crime and anti-social behavior at their premises.

“We have seen the success of other schemes such as City Safe, which has over 200 members from a variety of businesses in Cheltenham, Stroud, Cirencester and Gloucester, including shops, pubs, clubs, takeaways and transport services .

“Tewkesbury was the last area in the county to become part of this scheme. Membership means that the county benefits from a standardized and uniform approach to commercial crime and the night time economy, ensuring that Tewkesbury receives the same level of service as all other areas and that we can share our best working practice.

“Schemes like these have seen 46 theft offenders in the last 12 months charged or deterred through various measures and an overall 80% reduction in reoffending.”