w/c 28 September 2020
Since the Southend BID first launched back in 2013 we have continued to provide our Street Ranger service. In that time their job has morphed from a purely welcoming role for residents and visitors to encompassing business crime support too as the needs of levy payers have changed.
This key seven day service provision continued to be a top priority throughout the lockdown period - high visibility patrols supported the businesses that were open and ensured temporarily closed premises were watched over with any notable incidents involving their venues being reported to them.
As lockdown eased and footfall came back to the high street and seafront, the team began advising the public on safety and distancing measures, and supported a team of welcome hosts that provided free hand sanitiser to the town’s visitors. They did this whilst also assisting businesses with any social distancing issues, crime incidents and handing out materials to our BID members to assist with reopening such as posters and queue stickers.
The Southend BID Street Ranger team have become an essential service for the town’s businesses over the last seven years and welcomed the introduction of both the Town Centre Police team and the council’s Community Safety team. These have developed into strong partnerships which work together to ensure the safety of the public and businesses, and support each other whenever necessary.
These continue to be tough times for all but you can be assured that the BID Street Ranger team will remain on hand to provide information and support to residents, visitors and businesses as the COVID-19 safety measures and rulings change and adapt.