During this second lockdown period, Andover BID Rangers are maintaining a daily presence in the town centre to provide an essential service to BID businesses.

The BID Rangers continue to work throughout this lockdown period helping to keep Andover Town
Centre safe. As well as their normal duties, the rangers are also able to:
• Carry out routine checks on all vacant business premises.
• Contact the business directly to inform them of matters such as property damage, a flood, or an alarm sounding.
• Assist those essential stores with crowd control, shoplifting and reassurance.
• Offer public reassurance for shoppers who still must come into town

Steve Godwin BID manager says: “This second lockdown period is a little different to the one over the summer. More essential businesses have been able to stay open and those who are closed are often operating a click and collect or take away service. We have noticed an increase in the number of people coming into town who think that
shoplifting is acceptable, and that Andover is easy pickings.

That is definitely not the case and the BID Rangers are working closely with the open businesses, the police and other agencies to combat theft and to be a reassuring presence in town. In addition due to business demand, we decided at the beginning of this situation to extend the BID service to include property checks and inspections and this has also been incredibly well received by those businesses, both those open and those who are closed. The message to anyone that intends shoplifting in Andover is that you are being watched and will be caught”.