Hull BID is protecting businesses and supporting the city’s economy with a commitment to provide additional investment in CCTV systems.

A further 50 city centre businesses will receive CCTV in their premises free of charge as a result of HullBID’s investment.
SPS Security, which completed the first installation programme last year, is now working on the second phase and has created one new full-time job to deliver the project.

HullBID launched a scheme to provide CCTV systems and crime prevention training to 50 businesses last summer after securing funding from the Community Development Foundation: Community Action Against Crime Innovation Fund.
Kathryn Shillito, HullBID City Centre Manager, said the decision was taken to extend the project after receiving positive feedback from Humberside Police and from the businesses themselves.

Kathryn said: “We were successful in securing more than £45,000 of funding to pay for the CCTV systems and they were welcomed by businesses who could not afford to buy the equipment themselves.
“The feedback has been so positive from all concerned that we have now decided to provide further CCTV systems to member businesses using HullBID’s funds.

“We took that decision after consulting with the police, who confirmed that CCTV is helping to prevent crime, and with businesses who received a system last year. They confirmed that the CCTV has helped to improve security in their business premises, and that they are happy for BID to provide funds to protect other businesses.”

Sally Carrison, who took over Pasaz Café Bar in Ferensway five years ago with her partner and chef Paul Jones, said the CCTV package will help them to build their business and is not something they would have been able to afford themselves.

“We have two different menus and from 5pm we change from day-time food to our bistro offer and we do stay open quite late, with some private parties until 2am so it will be good to have the extra security,” said Sally.

“We have CCTV but that was already in when we bought the business and it’s quite old now. The new system will help us improve our service. We’re all very hands-on and with   three floors, with dining on two of them, we’ll be able to keep an eye on things wherever we are.

“The fact that it is being made available free of charge is great for all the businesses involved and for the city. When we heard about it we were trying to work out what the catch is – but there isn’t one!”

SPS Security, who operate across the UK from their base in Neptune Street, Hull, provide services ranging from guarding and patrolling land and property to fitting the latest retina and fingerprint scanning systems.

John Beharrell, Managing Director at SPS Security, said: “The first installation programme started in July last year and the project was so successful that we are just starting on the next phase after HullBID extended the scheme.
“There is no doubt that the project has delivered significant benefits for the businesses that are now protected by CCTV and it is also a good contract for us to be working with local businesses.

“It is always good to see local organisations supporting Hull’s economy by using the services of local suppliers. This particular work is very important to us and has enabled us to expand our technical division and create another full-time job.”
Inspector Lee Edwards, Portfolio Holder for Retail Crime in Hull, said: “Humberside Police has a well-established partnership with the Hull Business Improvement District and supports the initiative to increase the amount of CCTV coverage in the city centre. 

 “A decent CCTV system, supported by properly trained and equipped staff members, is an invaluable tool in combating crime and anti-social behaviour.  It is a visible deterrent to criminals, yet provides staff with confidence that they are working in a safe environment. 

“Shop theft in Hull has reduced by 13 per cent compared to the same period one year ago and further investment in CCTV can only help to reinforce this welcome crime reduction in the city."

Picture: Sally Carrison of Pasaz (Photographer:  Simon Renilson, Hull Daily Mail)