Community Radio Network - Lancaster City Centre
The City Centre Community Radio Network provides both retail premises and licensed premises across the city centre with direct communication between each other, the CCTV Room and local police patrols.
Background
The City Centre Community Radio Network was established in early 1995. Set up by the Lancashire Partnership Against Crime, the network was originally established for retail premises and supported ten mobiles. This number has now increased to over thirty. In April 1998 a scheme for the licensed premises was established covering over twenty premises. Both systems are no well established with many users across the city centre.
How The System Works
The radio base station and transmitter are located at Lancaster Police Station. It is a UHF system and operates on an open channel – one broadcast from one radio is heard buy all the other users – assuming they are switched on! This enables information to be circulated quickly, and users can monitor progress on any incident. It gives users a greater awareness of what is happening outside rather than just inside their premises, and provides advance warning of potential problems.
The Users
The City Centre Police patrols and the CCTV operators monitor the network. Most users are located within the one way road system with Halfords, Sainsburys and Asda beyond this.
Retail Premises: Users range from large stores to small shops, security staff in the main shopping arcades and the car park supervisor. Regular meetings are held to which all users are invited. The meetings have been found to be very productive, not only in the exchange of information and views but also:
Presentations have been given on topics such as drugs awareness, counterfeit notes, cheque and credit card fraud, bomb threats and court procedures.
Visits have been organised to the Closed Circuit Television Room and the local Magistrates Court.
Briefings are given by the Police on forthcoming operations such as the Policing arrangements for Christmas.
Licensed Premises: Users range from public houses to nightclubs. In many cases potential problems can be monitored and dealt with outside rather than inside premises. Door staff and security staff using the radio network can communicate directly with each other, the CCTV Room and Police Patrols.
How Much Does It Cost?
The scheme is self-financing. Users are responsible for the provision and maintenance of their own radio(s). Each user pays a one off £50 joining fee, which is used to pay for maintenance of the transmitter station and licence fees.
How Do I Join?
You need a mobile radio. Details of suppliers can be provided or alternatively you can supply your own. Please send your £50 joining fee directly to the address below (cheques made payable to "Lancaster City Council").
Once you have a radio please contact the City Centre police for your call sign. If you require any operational advice on using the radio, or have any other queries, please contact:
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