Traders in the Stoke area of
Coventry are being urged to join a major anti-crime crusade and to add
support to a campaign for CCTV cameras.
Officers based at Chace Avenue
police station are urging people to help sustain the momentum of the
re-launched Ball Hill Traders Action Group.
The group was sparked back
into life in response to a spate of burglaries in the area in March.
More than 50 traders attended
the re-launch meeting, which as well as police officers, included
representatives from Coventry Chamber of Commerce and the Action
Against Crime team.
At the time, Sergeant Graham
Cramp spoke of the positive feeling in the area with "a genuine
effort being made by all concerned to create an opportunity for
sustained crime reduction."
Now Acting Sergeant Jacqui
Mircetic and a representative from the Area Co-ordination Action
Against Crime team will be knocking on doors in the area hoping to
recruit more members from the major businesses in Ball Hill.
A/Sgt Mircetic said:
"Sergeant Cramp told
the traders that crime reduction was not going to be an overnight
fix.
"This is true but we
want to maintain the interest and good will of the traders and push
the Action Group forward.
"Our main aim, as well
as crime prevention and catching those responsible for the
burglaries, is to obtain CCTV for the area.
"We have sent out
letters to all the traders, major businesses, banks, schools and
public houses in the area.
"I and a representative
from the Action Against Crime team will be following up these
letters by personal visits to everyone on Thursday, 8 June.
"We are determined to
do all we can to help the traders, but we do need the support of
everyone before we can get the cameras.
"There will be another
meeting of the Business Action Group at the Old Ball Hotel at 6.30pm
on Tuesday 20 June.
"We hope that everyone
will make an effort to attend this and we have also personally
invited representatives from local Neighbourhood Watch groups.
"Everyone in the Ball
Hill area has a part to play and we would appeal for support to
continue our fight against crime."
