Members of Matlock Shopwatch received their Shopwatch Radios from the Safer Derbyshire Dales Community Safety Partnership at the launch of the Matlock Shop watch Radio Link Scheme at 29 January.

The Matlock Shopwatch group was developed to enable traders to work with the Police and other partners to help keep Matlock a safe place to shop.

Shopwatch allows the trades to talk to each other and to warn of potential incidents which may be heading their way. Shopwatch allows the traders to work with the police to target people acting suspiciously. Thanks to funding from the Derbyshire Dales Community Safety Partnership all town centre shops in the scheme are now linked to each other and to the Police by radio and can call for assistance or pass information between each other.” Police Officers from the Safer Neighbourhood Team carry the radio with them whilst on patrol thus meaning important information can be relayed quicker than ever before.

Inspector Shaun Woodcock Derbyshire Police said: “We are grateful to the Safer Derbyshire Dales Community Safety Partnership for providing the funding for the radio link scheme. This will help us to work together more effectively to reduce shoplifting and deal with potential offenders, creating a safer environment for everyone in Matlock.”

Tim Booth, Ambient Trading Manager, Somerfields, and Chair of Shopwatch said:
“The radio link scheme is a huge step forward for us. It’s great to have the support of the Police and the Community Safety Partnership, and I’m sure having the radios will improve links between Shopwatch members and help make Matlock safer.”

Councillor Lewis Rose OBE, Chair of the Community Safety Partnership and Leader of Derbyshire Dales District Council, said: “I am delighted that the traders of Matlock are working with the Police and the partnership to help keep Matlock safe. This will help keep the Derbyshire Dales one of the safest places in England to live, work and visit.”

The current members of Shopwatch are: Boots; M&Co; Sainsburys; Somerfields; Worldspan; Wilkinson and Woolworth's.