The Brentwood Business Improvement District has been running for two and a half years now, so it was good to catch up recently with the Chair of Brentwood Connected, Kaye Thurgood, to hear about what has been done to support the businesses and business people of Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone.
The Brentwood BID is unusual in that it covers all three High Streets, but this diversity has enable ideas to be shared between the businesses who all pay a levy to be part of the project.
One of the key things Kaye told me has improved the amenity of the areas covered is the decision by Brentwood Connected to bring in Street Rangers, who patrol the High Streets, get to know the businesses and the people who are regular shoppers and visitors, and to deter petty theft and shop lifting. The rangers work in collaboration with the Community Policing Team in Brentwood and aim to be the friendly welcoming face of the High Streets.
I’ve also met with our local Chief Superintendent, Scott Egerton, to discuss policing in the Brentwood and Ongar constituency. He’s pleased with the work being done by his policing teams to keep crime down, and increased police patrols on Brentwood High Street has helped improve the feel of the night-time economy in the town.
There are still some issues with groups of youths messing about and making people using the High Street feel uncomfortable, so I am glad the Community Policing Team and Brentwood Connected’s Street Rangers are across this, and getting to know the youths involved to see what can be done to deter them from misbehaving.
It’s good to know such great efforts are being made to keep crime down and improve the amenity of our local High Streets, and I comment all those involved for the excellent work they are doing.
Photo: Alex Burghart MP with Kaye Thurgood from Brentwood Connected
