The Brentwood Connected Business Improvement District (BID) has launched a three-month trial scheme to create a team of Town Rangers in Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone. Andrew and Chelsie, the Brentwood Connected Town Rangers, will be visible on the High Streets wearing green tactical vests with Brentwood Connected logos. The pair will work to ensure the borough’s high streets are well managed, safe and friendly. The Town Rangers will engage with local businesses, residents and visitors, as well as reporting anti-social behaviour, shoplifting and begging.
The Brentwood Connected Town Rangers will work closely with the Community Safety Partnership (CSP), Essex Police, Brentwood Borough Council and Essex Youth Service to address issues around business crime and anti-social behaviour. They are Security Industry Authority (SIA) licensed, Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) accredited and first aid trained.
Kaye Thurgood, Chair of the Brentwood Business Partnership (the advisory board of Brentwood Connected), and owner of Sincerely Yours in Shenfield, said, “I am delighted to introduce this exciting and innovative initiative which supports our ‘Welcoming Places’ theme, to ensure our locations are well managed, safe and friendly. The Town Rangers will be the eyes and ears of Brentwood Connected, providing a friendly, reassuring presence to businesses and visitors.”
Feedback will be sought from businesses at the end of the trial. If successful, the scheme will be extended.
The Brentwood Connected Business Improvement District (BID) is the first in the UK to incorporate three high streets in one BID. Over 500 businesses across multiple sectors in Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone will benefit from events and initiatives that aim to increase footfall, dwell time and perception of the areas over the BID’s five-year term. Recent Brentwood Connected events include the Brentwood Art Trail and Easter Trail, as well as the Christmas Character Trail, Giant Christmas Bauble and Giant Snow Globes.
The Brentwood Connected priorities include:
Improving Places - to dress our streets and create an environment for people to stay longer;
Promoting Places - to attract new visitors and additional spend through marketing and events;
Welcoming Places - to ensure our locations are well-managed, safe and friendly;
Connecting Places - to create great places to live, work and invest.
The Town Rangers have been funded by Brentwood Connected Business Improvement District (BID) to improve the experience of residents, visitors, employees and businesses in Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone.
FAQs:
The Town Rangers are Security Industry Authority (SIA) licensed, Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) accredited, and first aid trained. They will present their badge where required.
The Brentwood Connected Town Rangers will be located in the designated BID areas in Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone. Their working hours are 10am to 6pm from Monday to Saturday and they will travel between the three locations.
The Town Rangers wear body cameras and carry radios linked to Essex Police, Brentwood Borough Council’s CCTV team and the Shop Safe radio system.
The Brentwood Connected Town Rangers are Andrew and Chelsie. They will wear green tactical vests with Brentwood Connected logos.
If you are a BID member and you have a specific concern about business crime or anti-social behaviour, please speak with the friendly Town Rangers when they visit your business. They will be the eyes and ears of Brentwood Connected and will be regularly visiting our businesses. Alternatively, you can email brentwoodconnected@brentwood.gov.uk if you have an issue you would like the Town Rangers’ support with. Members of the public are encouraged to approach the Town Rangers for help or assistance if required.
Many other BIDs across the country have implemented Town Ranger schemes, including nearby Colchester and Southend. They can sometimes be referred to as Street Ambassadors or Street Rangers.
Feedback will be sought from businesses during the trial period. This feedback will be considered and a decision will be made by the Brentwood Connected Executive Board. If you are a business and have feedback about the Town Rangers you would like to share, please email brentwoodconnected@brentwood.gov.uk.
For more information about Brentwood Connected, visit our About Us section. BID members can find details about Brentwood Connected here.