Wrexham businesses and officers team up with innovative new way to contact police

Wrexham businesses and the town’s policing team have joined together to promote an innovative way for the public to make contact with the force.

Using a specially designed “business card” with a QR code, people can now access the North Wales Police live webchat facility to report non-emergency incidents.

Wayne Price of AMP Accounting and chairman of the Town Centre Forum said it had become “obvious when traders and shop assistants are faced with an anti-social behaviour incident they need to act quickly, so they can focus on looking after their customers.”

He added: “I just thought a business card sellotaped to their tills with important phone numbers and a QR code that takes smart phones straight to the Police’s 101 website will take out the stress of contacting the right people fast.

“I’m really pleased how well my cost effective idea has worked.”

Ruth Rees, who chairs the Wrexham Business Group CIC, explained: “Both our Business Group and the Town Centre Forum Steering Group get regular updates from the town centre wardens and police, and they have stressed the importance of properly reporting any crime or anti-social behaviour we see.

“We wanted to make it easier for everyone to do this, and I’ve been very impressed with how simple it is to make a report using the online reporting tool on the North Wales Police website.

“Just a day or two later he had produced the design, and Printworks in Egerton Street did a super rush job of printing them in just a couple of hours. Then two amazing volunteers, Bobbi Cockcroft and Margaret Forbes, slogged around the whole town handing them out to all the shops and businesses.

“We have plenty left, so do get in touch if you would like one – they’re available from Martin Rees Jewellers, Abode Above, the TIC, and Ty Pawb Reception, as well as the town police, PCSOS and Wardens.

PC Dave Evans added “ We have an excellent relationship with these groups, the public and businesses in the town centre.

“We are delighted to support this initiative to assist the public in reporting crime and anti-social behaviour.”