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Bars hire rapid response unit to combat raiders

Marie Burchill
6/ 3/2008

BAR owners in Chorlton are hiring their own rapid response security unit to combat raiders.

Landlords have revealed they are to pay for a dedicated rapid-response security unit – who have a guaranteed response time of just one minute should bar owners encounter any trouble – in an effort to promote a ‘zero tolerance’ policy in the suburb.

Landlords have taken the determined step to bolster their security in the hope that it will put an end to the ‘climate of fear’ that has emerged in Chorlton as a result of the numerous recent raids.

The security team have guaranteed bar owners that they will respond to their calls in one minute, after which they will detain any offenders until police arrive.

In the last seven months there have been five armed raids on bars – including Argyles on Barlow Moor Road, Proof and Iguana on Manchester Road, Nook on Wilbraham Road and The Trevor on Beech Road – during which both bar staff and customers have been threatened and robbed.

Nick Heathcote of Lounge Bar, is leading the network of bar owners who have employed the rapid-response unit – called B Safe Security.

He said: "These attacks have not only affected bar owners, but customers as well, and they have created a real climate of fear in Chorlton.

"We need to have people on hand straight away to deal with these situations and hopefully this rapid-response security unit will deter the people who are thinking of targeting our bars. We want to make Chorlton a nicer, safer place for our customers – and also for ourselves.

"This is just one part of a new zero tolerance approach from the bars in Chorlton.

"We were done over at Lounge about four years ago. Luckily nothing has happened since then, but after what has taken place recently, we feel that there is a definite need for these precautions now."

As part of the increased security, the bar owners are also set to have their own walkie-talkies, through which they will be able to communicate with each other. As The Reporter went to press four bars had signed up to the security network – the Lloyds Hotel, Lounge bar, Argyles and Uluru – with Abode and Escape also expected to get on board.

However, alongside the increased security, Chorlton councillors are calling for a more visible Police presence in the area to combat the raids.

Councillor Sheila Newman said: "We need a more visual police presence in Chorlton. While I understand the services that B Safe Security are offering, not every bar should have to buy into it to feel secure. We need more police on the streets so that people are deterred from attacking the bars."

Inspector Dave Nutsey who leads Chorlton’s Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "The raids in Chorlton are a major concern for us and we are looking into what steps we can take.

"We are conducting high-profile visits to the area and we have installed CCTV around Chorlton cross.

"The incidents are all being investigated and we will continue to work closely with the bars."