Alan Shaw, President Athlone Chamber of Commerce, Superintendent Michelle Baker, Councillor Vincent McCormack, Mayor of Athlone-Moate Municipal District and Aengus O’Rourke, Cathaoirleach of Athlone-Moate Municipal District, at the the launch of Athlone Business Watch Scheme text alert in association with An Garda Sícohána at the Civic Centre last Monday. Photo Paul Molloy.

New Athlone Business Watch Scheme to focus on shoplifting

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Jessica Dias, Athlone Chamber of Commerce, Cllr Louise Heavin, Cllr Aengus O’Rourke Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, Tommy Hogan, CEO Athlone Chamber of Commerce, Sergeant John McWalter, Crime Prevention Westmeath, Sergeant Damien Connaughton, Community Policing, Alan Shaw, President, Athlone Chamber of Commerce, Superintendent Michelle Baker, Councillor Vincent McCormack Mayor of Athlone-Moate Municipal District, Councillor John Dolan and Jackie Finney, District Manager, at the the launch of Athlone Business Watch Scheme text alert in association with An Garda Sícohána at the Civic Centre last Monday. Photo Paul Molloy.

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Cllr Vinny McCormack, Mayor of Athlone/Moate Municipal District, Alan Shaw, President of Athlone Chamber of Commerce, Tommy Hogan, CEO of Athlone Chamber of Commerce, Cllr Aengus O'Rourke, Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council.

Kayley Hardiman

Published: Fri 31 Mar 2023, 3:55 PM

The new Athlone Business Watch Scheme was launched by the Chamber of Commerce on Monday last in Athlone Civic Centre and is aiming to tackle an increase in shoplifting.

Speaking at the launch, CEO of Athlone Chamber of Commerce Tommy Hogan said the chamber was delighted to be involved with the Business Watch scheme. “We're fully aware that crime is an ongoing problem with businesses and we feel that partaking in this scheme will help businesses reduce crime and the Chamber's very honoured to be part of the whole process of getting the scheme up and running.”

Mr Hogan said it was important that businesses can get information shared and that scheme will minimise crime and make Athlone a safer place.

Garda Superintendent Michelle Baker added that it was a welcome initiative for helping businesses and the town.

“It represents an opportunity for An Garda Síochána to support the local business community not only in responding to the loss of stock but also helping them to keep their businesses a safe place for the staff to work. We obviously encourage early reporting and sharing of information. Early reporting has a higher chance of things being successfully dealt with," she said.

Describing the initiative as “really important", the Mayor of Athlone/Moate Municipal District Cllr Vinny McCormack stated: “In the current climate there are a lot of issues around shoplifting around the town. It's very important that businesses can get information shared into the forum as quickly as possible to try and prevent it for other businesses throughout the town."

The Fianna Fáil councillor concluded: “We as the local authority colleagues will be doing everything we can to try and encourage all the businesses to engage with this scheme as quickly as possible and we hope it'll be a huge success and really help the businesses of the town.”

Any local business can join the free scheme by emailing the Gardaí at westmeath.crimeprevention@garda.ie with the title of your email, 'Athlone Business Watch Scheme.'

The new scheme is in conjunction with An Garda Síochána and the Athlone Chamber of Commerce. Business Watch is a Crime Prevention Programme designed by An Garda Síochána founded on the same principles as Neighbourhood Watch, that is the practice of both the Gardaí and the community coming together to prevent and reduce crime.