Winchester Rangers recover £31,000 of stolen goods

Over £31,000 worth of goods have been recovered from offenders since the launch of Winchester Business Improvement District’s ‘BID Rangers Scheme’.

This November marked the second year of the scheme that was put in motion in 2018 with the goal of reducing business crime and making Winchester City a safer place for workers, residents and visitors.

Jane Bastock, Business Crime Reduction Manager at Winchester BID, told Winol: “We are exceptionally proud of the Winchester BID Rangers scheme, which continues to be extremely well received by the local business community two years on.

“We regularly receive positive feedback about the scheme from businesses.”

Provided by Venture Security, the Rangers work closely with Hampshire Constabulary, Winchester City Council and other partner organisations to reduce low level crime, anti-social behaviour and provide additional security in the city centre.

During the first national lockdown in March, the Rangers played a crucial role in keeping an eye on closed business premises and offering assistances to businesses that stayed open.

Sara Howe, General Manager at Venture Security told Winol: “We are very pleased with the Winchester BID Rangers Scheme and the impact it has had on the city for the benefit of the businesses, residents and visitors alike.”

Over the past two years, the Rangers have become a critical presence for a variety of incidents, attending a total of 3,573 incidents in the last year alone.

Kelly Venus, Vice Chair of Winchester Shopwatch and Manager at Pavilion, told Winol: “The Rangers are a valuable and useful resource to businesses, attending and assisting with persistent shoplifters and anti-social behaviour in the city.

“Their presence assists in deterring criminal activity and provides reassurance to both businesses and members of the public.”