Marble Arch London BID appoints Lodge Service to lead Street Team

The Street Team has become a ‘go-to’ resource for businesses in the area, providing a visible and reassuring presence on the streets, responding to reports of theft, robbery, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting and, in parallel, offering support to vulnerable people through welfare checks and referring rough sleepers to supporting agencies.

The Street Team members look after the whole of the BID area which stretches from Park Lane in the south and along the Edgware Road to Paddington Green in the north, taking in Connaught Village to the west and Marylebone to the east. The team provides an essential service for pubs, hotels, shops, late-night venues, restaurants, office occupiers and schools across the BID area.

Taking over the running of the Street Team this month, Lodge Service is one of the UK’s longest-established, family-owned security companies. With teams based in every UK and Irish city, Lodge Service specialises in the retail sector and boasts extensive experience in security, test purchasing, mystery shopping and technology innovation.

The BID provides bespoke training for members, an out-of-hours service, runs workshops and shares information on important security and resilience topics to keep businesses up-to-date. Current areas of focus include the proposed Protect Duty (ie Martyn’s Law) legislation for publicly accessible locations.

Further, the BID shares real-time security bulletins throughout the year to provide prior warnings of protests, marches and high-profile events, thereby equipping businesses with the ability to minimise disruption to operations, customers, staff and guests.

Crime statistics

The Street Team’s tasking is based on police crime statistics, intelligence from businesses and key partners and stakeholders including the Metropolitan Police Service, Westminster City Council and the Safer Business Network.

Last year, as part of its commitment to the safety of women at night, the BID extended Street Team hours to support late-night premises and their customers.

Working in partnership with Lodge Service, the BID’s management team is committed to investing in the training and development of the Street Team, better equipping its members to take on new initiatives and support all of those present in the BID area.

Kay Buxton, CEO of the Marble Arch London BID, commented: “Those who live, work, do business and visit Marble Arch understand the valuable service and support our Street Team provides. Whether it’s guiding tourists around the BID area, tackling environmental issues or dealing with crime and anti-social behaviour, our Street Team members ensure the district is a welcoming place for all and helps to inspire confidence for businesses, their staff, customers, guests and the wider community.”

Buxton added: “We look forward to working with Lodge Service to ensure that our Street Team is equipped to take on new initiatives and continues to offer much-needed support to all our stakeholders and partners across the BID area.”

Safer Business Action Days

Lodge Service employs upwards of 1,200 personnel across the UK, Europe and Africa, integrating multiple security, protection and building management services into intelligent, connected and remotely monitored solutions.

Darren Conway, Group managing director, informed Security Matters: “Lodge Service has always been at the forefront of community safety, pioneering the Business District Support Officers back in 1994. Today, we’re spearheading the Safer Business Action Days in partnership with the police. Being awarded this prestigious contract by the Marble Arch London BID allows us to work together in delivering reassurance and safety for the local community, in turn helping to make the Marble Arch BID area the destination of choice.”

Established back in April 2016, Marble Arch London BID is a champion for business and provides a strong and collective voice for approximately 200 member businesses and organisations located in the Marble Arch district.

The Marble Arch area is a vibrant cultural hub, of course, with an historic significance that makes it one of London’s most attractive places to visit. Marble Arch London BID affords the district a collective voice, knitting together a diverse local community and businesses.

*Further information is available online at https://marble-arch.london/