Greater security against crime and disorder could be provided by a new Radio Link which already includes more twenty-five establishments in Egremont. Though limited in range, a radio link has the important advantage over mobile phones in that instant warnings can be sent out simultaneously to everyone involved in the Link. Egremont's Community Police Officer, Ben Strain, explains that every shop in the town could be made aware of shoplifters on the prowl, children missing from school, or drunken and disorderly groups of youths roaming the street, and Pub Watch and Shop Watch bans could be instantly enforced throughout the town.
Funding for the first few months of the scheme is provided by APEX and allows all participants the use of radios free of charge until January. After that they will be asked to contribute about £12 a month for additional security which will have proved its worth by that time.
Though at present the Link covers Egremont alone, there is an interesting possibility that our town could be linked up with Whitehaven if a group of interested parties could invest in a booster that would transmit signals further afield. At present, a radio link with the police is guaranteed between the hours of 9am and 5pm, but a booster would allow contact with Whitehaven Police Station from 8am - midnight, and, of course, premises would be able to share intelligence and warn one another of threats at any time of the day or night.
It is however necessary to keep the radio where it is immediately accessible, and Ben was very impressed when Stacey picked it up instantly when he called at random at Paul's Wines.
A firm policy of stamping down on the abuse of alcohol by young people is very effective in preventing more serious disorder later. The Police are very alert to the the practice of concealing alcohol in soft drink bottles and recently caught several youngsters illegally possessing alcohol as they tried to make their escape from the Castle grounds.