CRIME-busting retailers in Ipswich have welcomed a new member to their network.Clothes retailer Key West has joined the Ipswich Partnership which represents town centre organisations.

CRIME-busting retailers in Ipswich have welcomed a new member to their network.

Clothes retailer Key West has joined the Ipswich Partnership which represents town centre organisations.

It was immediately provided with a security radio system to help identify potential shoplifters.

"A tangible benefit of being an Ipswich Partnership member – we now have 80 – is that you are linked into the radio system which helps fight street crime," said Partnership chairman Paul Clement.

"The radio system has been running in the town for a number of years and we are looking at making further improvements later this year due to the demand.

"We are delighted that people like Key West can see the real advantage of Ipswich having an active town centre management company."

He said there is now a large network of businesses in Ipswich on the radio system, and there is a team spirit between those that are part of it.

Simon Jackson from Key West has recently opened a second shop in Ipswich.

He said: "Although our staff in both shops in Ipswich are fully trained to look out for shop lifters, what we have found since Ipswich Partnership provided us with the radio system is that we are getting pre-emptive warning signs.

"We can be better prepared. We can get in touch with the police and they will provide photographs of suspects so that our staff can put a face to a picture."

There are other benefits of the system too. Simon continued: "We picked up from the system that there was a forged credit card and some forged money being used in town on a given day, so we were able to look out for that.

"You can call for help on the rdaio and within minutes you might get as many as eight security officers in the shop.

"We have found being a member of Ipswich Partnership very, very helpful to our business in Ipswich. It is well worth signing up!"