Retail BID Birmingham has invested in four mountain bikes to enable its Patrol Officers to cover large parts of the city centre swiftly during the coronavirus lockdown.
The Business Improvement District’s high-profile security team is continuing to provide a reassuring presence across the city centre shopping district during the coronavirus lockdown and partnering with West Midlands Police and neighbouring BIDs to make sure locked businesses and visitors are checked frequently, while supporting essential stores that are still open.
The team covers the whole of the Retail BID area through two dedicated walking and cycling routes, this ensures all BID member properties are checked daily to ensure there has not been any damage caused through anti-social behaviour and all premises remain secure.
The officers have extended their patrol area to cover Birmingham Children’s Hospital to help protect doctors and nurses travelling to and from work as they provide critical care during the health crisis.
The Patrol Team is working throughout the week in pairs and can be contacted on the City Safe digital radio network.
Sam Watson, Chair, Retail BID Birmingham, said: “During these very worrying times we appreciate the concerns of members and the Retail BID team of Business Patrol Officers are continuing to offer a full security service each day for businesses, offering support for the essential food stores, chemists and banks as well as offering high-visibility protection for business premises that have had to close.
“Our dedicated Retail BID Patrol Officers were adamant they wanted to continue to patrol the city centre and they continue to assist those essential stores still open and offer high-visibility protection for business premises that are closed.
“The BID’s investment in four mountain bikes will enable the team to respond quickly to any incidents and help their daily patrols as they continue to carry out a vital role in the city centre. We are here to help our members in any way possible.”
