Overgate Shopping Centre recognised with Secured Environments award
James Thorpe
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Overgate Shopping Centre in Dundee, supported by its managing agent JLL, is the latest organisation to be recognised by Police Crime Prevention Initiatives, gaining the prestigious Secured Environments award.
The award, which recognises that the shopping centre is following six key principles to maximise the safety of staff and customers, was achieved after the centre underwent a thorough audit of their approach to security management, which included independent consultation with management, security staff and other staff.
The six key principles of the Secured Environment accreditation are a commitment by an organisation and its leadership to create a secure environment; an understanding of the security risks that it faces; the development of an effective response to reduce the risks to the organisation; a management plan to achieve its aims and objectives; the effective implementation of the security and crime prevention measures; and the monitoring and evaluation of the security and crime prevention measures.
Professor Martin Gill, Director of Perpetuity Research, said: “A key challenge for shopping centres is to maintain good customer service and create an enjoyable shopping environment, while ensuring a strong and consistent approach to preventing and responding to security issues is in place.
“The accreditation achieved by the Overgate Shopping Centre gives a clear indication to customers, staff, tenants and owners that there is strong leadership from the centre management, that security is effective and crime is taken seriously.”
Morag Dennis, Operations Manager at Overgate stated: “To be awarded the Secured Environments award is a combined effort of the whole team at Overgate. This is a culmination of everyone’s hard work which reinforces our commitment to the safety and security of all our visitors and staff.”
Guy Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer at Police Crime Prevention Initiatives said: “It is crucial for businesses to recognise and respond to the crime and security risks they face, as good security is valued by both employees and customers. Secured Environments provides that framework for managing security and ensuring it is effective and that staff at all levels are involved.”
