Radio Ga-Ga

Today's the day Thamesmead Town Centre's radio system goes live. The joint initiative between the Trust and the recently formed Town Centre Traders Association means that many of the shops in the town centre will have radio contact with each other.

Greenwich councillor Jackie Smith, who is also Chair of the charity's Board of Trustees said: "Everyone who uses the town centre will benefit from this investment. The radio system will complement the existing CCTV system and provide a more cohesive approach to tackling anti-social behaviour.

"We hope that this initiative will not only help reduce business and community crime but also give people the confidence that their town centre is safe and that they are protected. This will reduce the fear of crime and I believe that is important, particularly to older and more vulnerable people."

Across the town centre there are 16 cameras that feed images back to a control centre at Woolwich-based CCTV company IVP. These operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The new radio system will enable traders to alert staff if shoplifting occurs or there is anti-social behaviour taking place outside their premises and this will speed up the response of the neighbourhood policing team.

Local councillor and Thamesmead resident Peter Brooks added: "We want people to enjoy the town centre, feel safe and be confident that their welfare is being looked after. We are confident that this new radio system will help us cut crime and make people feel safer."