North Devon Radio Link

Northern Devon Radio Link

The Northern Devon Radio Link is up and running

Shop and pub radio schemes that were in existence in Braunton, Ilfracombe, Torrington, Bideford and Bideford rural (Westward Ho! and Northam) have been rebranded and re-launched as the NORTHERN DEVON RADIO LINK by Abigail Mandeville, the Radio Management Officer based at Safer North Devon. A new scheme started in Woolacombe in April 2007.

The Radio Link can be used to communicate messages about incidents that occur in premises, such as shoplifting or threatening or abusive/drunken customers. It can also be used to communicate information from the Police to the retail trade about stolen credit cards, chequebooks, and any scams or cons that may be happening in the area.

The Radio Link consists of a receiver in each area, which allows radios in pubs and shops to communicate with each other using a unique call sign. All users can hear all transmissions, so that everyone receives a general circulation about troublemakers at the same time.

The Radio Link aims to save businesses large amounts of money in comparison to a commercial system by cutting out the profit margin and staff costs without compromising on quality. To see some profiles of current radio users click here

Over the next year we propose to expand the Radio Link to South Molton.

For more information about the scheme please contact Abi Mandeville, Radio Management Officer, on 01271 341200.

Northern Devon Radio Link Update

North Devon Radio Link Survey Results are now in click here for more information!

Training sessions have now taken place in Bideford, Bideford Rural, Ilfracombe, Braunton, Woolacombe and Torrington. Each training session, was given in conjunction with the local Police, for Radio Link members to attend, and included Radio training as well as personal safety, target hardening, how to deal with shop lifters, and evidence for court procedures etc.

For each of the Radio Link areas a representative has been nominated. Representatives are radio users who voice the opinion of other users in their area at the Radio Management Group Meeting, and have regular contact with the Northern Devon Radio Link Manager so that any new information can be quickly distributed. This group will also include the Radio Management Officer and members of other relevant organisations, and will meet to discuss how the schemes are performing in each area, and share best practice. These meetings will also provide an opportunity for information sharing and ideas for improvement and expansion. Currently in the 6 areas there are 170 Radio Link members.

The Radio Management Officer has had reports of two recent incidents in which the Radio Link has been used successfully. In Braunton a man asked for a carrier bag from a local surf shop, the manager was suspicious of possible shoplifting. She used the radio to alert other shops of the man's description. The local PCSO heard the transmission and the man was stopped and searched. He was found to be carrying six legs of lamb that he had stolen from a local supermarket.

In another area the Radio Link was used to follow a group of hostile drunken people around the town, when trouble started within the group, enough information had been reported for the Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) and Police to respond quickly and prevent the incident becoming serious.

For more information about the scheme, or suggestions for expansion please contact the Radio Management Officer Abi Mandeville on 01271 341200

Looking for Sponsors

We are looking for local companies to sponsor the radio schemes, in return for which we will include your business cards or promotional material in the Northern Devon Radio Link user guide.

For more information about the scheme, or to offer sponsorship please contact the Radio Management Officer Abi Mandeville on 01271 341200

Radio Users

If you are part of Northern Devon Radio Link you can click here to find call signs for your area.