Left to Right: (Back) Coun Dave Stephens (Blyth Valley Council Leader), Simon Pringle (Keel Row Centre Manager), Bill Tarbitt (Head of Strategic Planning and Economic Development, PC Damon Parry and Town Centre Manager David Garrett.  (Front) David Rumney (BITEBAC Co-ordinator), Steve Booth (SBA Accessor), Mayor of Blyth Valley Coun Margaret Rochester, Mayoress Coun Kath Nisbet, Blyth Valley Chief Executive Geoff Paul and Sergeant George Cottis.

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The Blyth Initiative To Encourage Business Against Crime (BITEBAC) scheme has been officially presented with the Safer Business Award.The scheme which is a merger of both the Shopwatch Radio Scheme and the Town Centre Exclusion Scheme.  Both have work well in reducing the retail crime levels in Blyth Town Centre and, it is hoped, with the upgrade and wider target area the scheme will help ALL retailers throughout Blyth cut crime in their unit.

Town Centre Management will continuously work to improve the scheme and member feedback is essential to maintain a high standard.  Keel Row Centre Manager Simon Pringle said: "I am pleased to have been involved in helping Blyth to achieve this wonderful accolade.

BITEBAC Co-ordinator David Rumney said: "We are very happy to be only the 72nd nationwide to have achieved this standard in Retail Crime Reduction and only the 2nd in the North East Region."

Since the new scheme was re-launched it is pleasing to note that Police figures for the period 1st April - Mid July there has been a 30% reduction in retail crime over the same period last year.  PC Parry added: "There has been a significant downturn in crime in and around Blyth Town Centre."

Town Centre Manager David Garrett highlighted that "the achievement is a very positive indicator of the success of Parnership working."

If you are interested in joining the scheme please contact David Rumney at Blyth Town Centre Management for all the details.