The managers of the Belvoir Shopping Centre in Coalville say they are issuing banning orders to youngsters and adults in a bid to combat crime and anti-social behaviour in the town precinct.

Lambert Smith Simpson is responsible for the day to day on-site management for owners Gylo of the shopping centre.

Last week, LSH held its quarterly meeting along with Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner, Rupert Matthews.

The meeting heard that the issuing of banning orders to young people had reduced anti-social behaviour - and that it would now be extended to adults as well.

Neil Workman, Director – Property Management at LSH said: "Our company manages a lot of shopping centres nationwide, but one of the very positive things about Coalville is the close working relationships that exist between the Police, North West Leicestershire District Council, Youth Justice, Belvoir Centre Security and the Town Centre CCTV Monitoring Team. 

"Together, we are committed to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour and have a really effective joined-up approach." 

The meeting discussed the progress which had been made over the past quarter in reducing anti-social behaviour by young people in Coalville town centre. 

It added the issuing of banning letters to identified individuals over the past six months had worked well. 

Mr Workman added: "We recognised at our meeting that we have had some issues with shoplifting, thefts and other frauds by adults - and, as a result, we are going to apply what we learnt with our approach with young people by issuing banning notices to identified adults."

Letters have been issued to the parents/carers of the young people concerned - by LSH, in consultation with the police. 

Mr Workman "We believe in positive engagement with young people and we have hosted two police 'Youth Beat' surgeries in the shopping centre over the past six months. 

Neil Workman (left) of LSH with Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews. Photo: Supplied

"We provided pizza at the last surgery and that certainly went down well!

The Belvoir Centre operates 24/7 staffed security on site and this is reinforced by 24/7 staffed CCTV housed in the old Council offices adjacent to the Centre and provided by a third party. 

Nick Harcus, who is Gylo's asset manager and responsible for development proposals at the Belvoir Centre said: "Crime and anti-social behaviour results from a small minority, but we are committed to ensuring that we have a safe and welcoming shopping experience as well as ensuring that our retailers are protected. 

"We are vigilant and we are investing further in additional CCTV cameras in the Centre and its car parks.

"We know that our monitoring and on-site security is effective. 

"Anyone intent on crime or anti-social behaviour should be under no doubt that we will not tolerate it and with our partners we will tackle it. 

"Just last week an attempted break-in to one of our retailers was prevented, and the perpetrator arrested by the police. 

"We value our relationship with the police and were very pleased that we were able to work with North West Leicestershire District Council to facilitate a police help desk in the Council's Information Unit."