NEWS
Aycliffe businesses have been presented with 20 radios to improve communication on the business park in the fight against crime .
ANTI-CRIME RADIOS
Aycliffe businesses get new devices to help cut anti-social behaviour
Companies across Aycliffe Business Park have been armed with 20 crimebusting radios .
The communication tool has been funded by Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen to help tackle crime and anti-social behaviour on the business park .
The County Durham and Darlington PCC provided a grant worth just over £ 9,000 for the devices , which will help tenants on Aycliffe Business Park communicate with each other to warn of suspicious activity .
Committed to supporting businesses and retailers against crime , the PCC has funded the resources as part of a wider plan to expand Business Watch schemes across County Durham .
Further funding is being considered for the provision of CCTV on the business park .
Due to a lack of communication between individual business premises , security workers and staff have been unable to keep track when the perpetrators move around the park . This means they have often already left the area by the time officers arrive .
In response , Durham Constabulary launched BPACT ( Businesses , Police and Communities Together ) – a scheme to increase confidence on the business park and resolve problems collectively .
It also has the aim of encouraging businesses based within the park to invest in the wider community of Newton Aycliffe , supporting charities and community groups that go above and beyond to support residents .
There are currently 20 businesses on the park with 24-hour security .
By introducing a radio system , security workers can now talk directly to each other to report and warn of ASB and suspicious activity .
It will also allow firms to position their CCTV cameras to secure vital evidence that could assist an investigation or prosecution .
The new security radios will also link to another device in the local police station to enable available officers to attend swiftly in the event of a live incident or crime .
The scheme is designed like the Shop Watch initiative . However , all security guards will be encouraged to communicate with one another , exclusive of the police , particularly on evenings when incidents occur .
EBAC KEEPS ENGINEERING IN THE FAMILY
During National Apprenticeship Week , one Newton Aycliffe manufacturing firm proved that engineering runs in the blood .
Twin brothers Adam and George Petty , aged 16 , are embarking on engineering apprenticeships at Aycliffe Business Parkbased Ebac , in partnership with South West Durham Training ( SWDT ), part of Bishop Auckland College , following in the footsteps of their grandfather , John Elliott MBE DL , who founded the business .
John , who established Ebac – a leading manufacturer of water coolers , dehumidifiers , air source heat pumps and washing machines in County Durham – started his own career through an apprenticeship at Bishop Auckland College 60 years ago .
Now , his grandsons have left school and are taking the same route , joining the college to develop their practical skills while gaining hands-on experience at Ebac .
Adam and George ’ s dad Richard was also an apprentice at the college back in the day , and older brother Janes is a joinery apprentice .
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 9