ASEL provide ‘boots on the ground’ security solutions for Bradford BID

Following calls from business leaders in Bradford to improve the city centre’s standards of safety and security, we are proud to be working in partnership with the Bradford Business Improvement District (BID) to provide security services.

BIDs are public-private partnerships where businesses in a specific area of a town or city come together to fund improvements in that area, often with specific aims of reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.

Following a rigorous tender process, ASEL will be working in partnership with the BID, which represents 600 businesses. ASEL will direct a patrol team and provide a Command and Intelligence Centre (CIC) support line that will be available 24/7.

Nikki Chadburn, the BID Business Communications Manager, says “This dedicated support line is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ensuring our members can be confident that when they share intelligence or ask for advice and support, there is someone there to triage the call and ensure it is tasked accordingly.”

The patrol team will be active in the BID area, engaging directly with businesses on a routine basis, in order to address any concerns or queries as they arise. They will also report on environmental issues like littering, noise nuisance and fly-posting, and will work with partner agencies to assist those who need it, such as anyone sleeping rough or dealing with substance misuse.

The aim of the patrol team and the support line is to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, and to provide reassurance for business owners – ASEL’s role will effectively be to help bridge the gap between businesses, the local police and the public.

Jonny Noble, the Chief Executive of Bradford’s BID, says, “Seeing somebody walking around with a radio on a body cam, potentially with a direct link through to CCTV, it really reassures and it gives businesses that confidence that there are people out there that are looking after the place on their behalf.”

It is also hoped that improving the area’s sense of safety will also boost footfall to businesses in the area and turn the city centre into an attractive shopping destination following a drop-off in customer numbers amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Peter Fisher, ASEL’s Director of Risk & Intelligence says, “Improving safety and security across urban centres such as Bradford city centre requires a partnership approach between multiple organisations, most importantly the businesses who are the eyes and ears of the city centre. By harnessing the intelligence these businesses provide into one central hub with agreed process-based actions, we can significantly improve the responses and outcomes of incidents while promoting the feeling of well-being across those city centres’ businesses in a measurable way. On behalf of the ASEL Urban Centres team, we look forward to working with and supporting Bradford BID, the businesses, and the wider community.”