A new security team is set to patrol Sutton Coldfield Town Centre this Christmas to deter crime and anti-social behaviour, after local businesses decided to fund four new ‘Guardians’. The Sutton Coldfield Business Improvement District (BID) company will be launching the new on-street town centre security team who will watch out for anti-social behaviour and crime, while providing support, visibility and reassurance to businesses and locals. Sutton Coldfield BID – which represents hundreds of local businesses – will be employing four new uniformed security guards to be known as ‘BID Guardians’ throughout the Christmas period to provide additional security for party-goers and revellers.
Coinciding with the World Cup and Christmas party season, the BID Guardians is a trial project that will conclude on 1st January 2023. The BID Guardians will be patrolling the entire town centre and providing reassurance on the streets of Sutton from 7pm – 1am every Friday and Saturday and helping to reduce anti-social behaviour. BID Manager Michelle Baker said: “The addition of the BID Guardians in the evening will make a night out in Sutton Coldfield feel even safer.
“They will act as the eyes and ears of the town centre and provide a welcoming face to visitors and a reassuring presence for local businesses and residents during the busiest time of the year”. The four BID Guardians will be SIA (Security Industry Authority) licenced and First Aid trained and will look to work in partnership with the Police and local pubs and restaurants.
Many towns and cities employ private security including Shrewsbury, Rugby and York.
The Guardians are the latest improvement to be announced by the BID, since the launch of the new Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield – a programme of year-round events which aims to encourage more people to choose the town centre as a destination to spend time, eat, drink, shop and relax.
