Police in Portsmouth are launching a new scheme for hotel and guest house owners in Southsea.
Hotel Watch kicks off on Wednesday, April 30 with a meeting where attendees can discuss their concerns and experiences, and there will be police presentations on crime prevention and the scheme.
The meeting is in the Albert Bar at South Parade Pier, who have provided the venue for free, and will begin at 11.30am, with tea and coffee provided. Hotel Watch was initiated after PCSO Eli Atkinson, who works in Southsea, became aware of a number of incidents at hotels and bed and breakfasts in the area. Feeling the incidents could be prevented and business owners better supported following crimes, Eli began gathering members and developing Hotel Watch, with Portsmouth City Council and the Portsmouth and Southsea Hoteliers Association (PASHA).
Many proprietors do not report incidents because they see them as ‘low level’, and think the police may not be able to help. A message for the Hotel Watch scheme is that all crimes should be reported promptly, as this means any evidence can be captured at the earliest opportunity, and any series or linked incidents can be identified and focussed on far quicker.
The most common incidents are criminal damage to vehicle and property, and occasional thefts. Simply raising awareness can help prevent these incidents, and members of Hotel Watch can advertise their involvement with specially produced sticker. Members will receive a pack including crime prevention advice, and will be entered into a database so that updated information can be passed between members. A regular newsletter will also be produced for the Hotel Watch members, and they each receive a poster to display on their premises.
PCSO Eli Atkinson said: “This is a great opportunity to get all hotel and guest house owners together where we can find out exactly what concerns them as business owners, and we can ensure sound advice is given and we can focus our efforts where they are really needed. It also means people can help support and look out for each other, meaning we can all work together. The response to Hotel Watch so far has been really positive, and I’m hoping the project will grow and eventually we can incorporate the whole city!”
