Here at Visit Eastleigh, we are extremely proud of the work we do in Eastleigh town centre.
Eastleigh BID are a not-for-profit organisation, funded through a levy collected from the businesses within the BID Area (we are not funded by Eastleigh Borough Council). Further information about our funding can be found at https://www.visiteastleigh.co.uk/eastleigh-bid/
The revenue collected is used to fund various projects throughout the town to support and enhance many important areas such as crime reduction, increasing footfall, events, activities and marketing.
One of the services that Visit Eastleigh (Eastleigh BID) provides is the Town Rangers. The Rangers are responsible for many duties including but not limited to:-
Cardboard collection – In Partnership with the Swan Centre, 3 mornings per week the Rangers collect cardboard from the businesses, this is then taken to the Swan Centre to be compacted and then recycled. This provides environmental benefits and helps save money for the businesses.
Keeping the town clean and presentable – The Rangers have carried out several litter picks. If they are notified or see an area that needs attention, they grab their pickers and bags then get to work. They have also carried out weeding in certain areas to make it look more presentable. If we receive a report of graffiti in the town centre they can also assist in the removal of this.
Assisting the businesses – The Rangers are not town centre security. Their role is to be a welcoming, helpful presence in the town, support the Police and to offer reassurance to those visiting and working within Eastleigh town centre. The Rangers can assist the businesses in a number of ways including being a deterrent to potential shoplifters and recovering goods. They can also assist businesses with identifying suspects from images as they have great local knowledge, access to historical information and speak to people throughout the town daily. They have even assisted with removing a pigeon from a business as well as assisting with the cleaning of carpets.
First Aid – The Town Rangers are first aid trained and have attended many incidents where they have carried out first aid or waited with a member of the public until an ambulance arrives. They also deal with mental health first aid on a weekly basis. They have been thanked numerous time for their assistance from members of the public and the businesses of Eastleigh.
Working with the Police – The Town Rangers work closely with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary and assist in identifying repeat offenders and prolific shoplifters. They have helped the Police with various investigations that have led to arrests being made and criminals being charged.
Missing children and adults – The Rangers have assisted in finding numerous children who have become separated from their parents/guardians but it may surprise you to know that we have more reports of missing adults than missing children whom the Rangers also assist in locating.
Assisting neighbouring towns – The Rangers assist other areas in helping to identify people and assist with background information etc.
Activities and events – When Visit Eastleigh (Eastleigh BID) put on activities in the town centre, The Rangers are always on hand to help set up/close down the activities as well as being a point of call for the day if there are any issues. They also open and close the Urban Beach every day throughout the Summer including a Sunday (not a working day for them), this includes raking and cleaning the beach daily.
We and the local businesses believe that the Town Rangers are essential to the town centre and carry out all their duties in a professional and friendly manner. They are always happy to help in any way they can whether it be to stand within a business and deter a shoplifter or chatting to the youth within the town to build a rapport with them to deter anti-social behaviour.
They play an integral role, along with CCTV in assisting the Police with investigations which have resulted in arrests being made. They can assist with identification, providing camera footage (from their body-worn cameras) as well as providing background information on suspects about previous offences/if they are repeat offenders etc. This assistance has led to many arrests and charges being made including a prolific shoplifter from Southampton who was arrested and remanded in custody following the intervention of our Rangers. A group of travelling shoplifters from Winchester were deterred from a large scale shoplift from TK Maxx. These are 2 of many examples that occur on a day to day basis and is very much their business as usual but work that goes unseen.
The Visit Eastleigh (Eastleigh BID) Town Rangers are not security guards, they are not police, they are a friendly face who will help you look for your child, they will stop you from bleeding when you have fallen over, they support the business and help keep the town clean.
We could not be prouder of them and their achievements and we know that the businesses feel the same. Eastleigh BID has recently been voted in by the businesses for another 5-year term with an amazing 95% yes votes as well as receiving some wonderful feedback from the businesses in a recent questionnaire.
“The Eastleigh BID Team have always been great so a big thank you for all your support. The Rangers are fantastic – very friendly and quick to respond” – The Entertainer
“Eastleigh Town Centre would not be the same without the hard work provided by Eastleigh BID and the Town Rangers. They provided an excellent service” – Shopmobility
