Crime out of Loughborough (COOL)
Contact
COOL is a partnership between the Police, Charnwood Borough Council and the business community. Its aim is to get rid of the persistent lifestyle criminals who make life miserable for people who live, visit and work in Loughborough town centre. Its objective is to provide a safe and non-threatening environment for staff and customers by reducing crime and disorder, and the fear of crime.
The basis of the scheme is information sharing. All members are given a file of photographs and intelligence on known criminals. Members can then watch out for known thieves and individuals carrying out criminal activity in Loughborough. Members also have a radio which links them not only to other members but the CCTV controller, Police and Community Safety Officers therefore ensuring instant help in managing incidents in the town.
Exclusion notices have been served on prolific offenders, who are then banned from entering all members’ premises. Members display a door sticker so that excluded persons know which shops they are banned from. The message to these criminals is clear - ‘You are not welcome in Loughborough’
COOL is a member of the Midland Regional Crime Initiative and Action Against Business Crime (AABC) which means that it can pass on and receive intelligence about travelling criminals from other towns and cities. There is evidence that people excluded from nearby towns and Citys such as Leicester, Nottingham and Burton on Trent are travelling further afield to easier targets. COOL’s aim is to ensure that Loughborough will not be one of those targets.
Membership of COOL costs just £75.00 per year for smaller independent businesses and £150.00 for larger multiples.
Tel: 01509 268903
email:arts@charnwood.gov.uk
STOP PRESS: COOL has been awarded the Safer Business Award by Action Against Business Crime on behalf of the Home Office, in recognition of its effectiveness in tackling crime in Loughborough Town Centre.