Winchester BID Rangers recover over £100K worth of stolen goods for local businesses

The Winchester Business Crime Reduction Partnership (WBCRP) and Winchester Business Improvement District (BID) Rangers are celebrating a major milestone in their ongoing efforts to keep the city safe. Since the scheme’s inception in 2018, the BID Rangers have successfully recovered over £100,000 worth of stolen goods, returning them to businesses in Winchester city centre.

This achievement underscores the effectiveness of the Winchester BID Rangers, who play a vital role in reducing crime and enhancing public safety. The Rangers work closely with local businesses, Hampshire Constabulary, Winchester City Council, and BID team, forming a robust network to combat theft and anti-social behaviour.

A Proactive Approach to Crime Reduction

The BID Rangers are highly trained security professionals, accredited under the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) and certified by the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Patrolling the city in their recognisable dark blue uniforms, they provide a visible and reassuring presence, deterring criminal activity and responding swiftly to incidents.

Key Functions of the BID Rangers:

• Crime Prevention and Recovery: Assisting businesses in tackling theft and recovering stolen goods.
• Shopwatch and Pubwatch Support: Strengthening communication and collaboration between businesses to prevent repeat offenders from targeting the city centre.
• Real-Time Assistance: Operating as part of the Radio Link Scheme, ensuring immediate response and coordination with law enforcement.
• Customer Engagement and Public Safety: Acting as frontline ambassadors for the city, supporting businesses and assisting visitors.

Recognition for Outstanding Work

The Rangers’ dedication to tackling retail crime has not gone unnoticed. In recent years, their efforts have been recognised by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and Isle of Wight (OPCC), with Winchester BID Ranger Brett Jones receiving an OPCC award in 2023 for his commitment to business crime prevention. Additionally, Winchester BID Business Crime Reduction Manager Jane Bastock has been honoured with a 2025 OPCC award nomination for her leadership in business crime reduction over the past decade. We look forward to attending the event next month.

Jane Bastock, Winchester Business Crime Reduction Partnership Manager said: “I am very proud of this achievement. This demonstrates not only the success of the BID Rangers scheme but that of the Radio Link and Shopwatch schemes, which businesses in Winchester utilise to alert suspicious or offending behaviour in their store or in the city. I would also like to thank the local Police and Winchester City Council CCTV Control Room for their continued support with these schemes.”

Supporting Winchester Businesses

With over £100,000 worth of stolen goods returned, the BID Rangers continue to make a significant impact on Winchester’s retail and hospitality sectors. Businesses are encouraged to stay engaged by joining Shopwatch, Pubwatch, and the Radio Link Scheme, ensuring a coordinated approach to crime prevention.

Hannah Hitchon, Winchester Shopwatch Chair said: “It is with the greatest pride that the BID Rangers have surpassed the stolen property recovery figure of £100,000. This figure has been recovered over a challenging time, including the pandemic, which naturally impacted the vital role that they played in protecting our local area. As such they should be commended for their hard work and resilience over the last 6 years. My heartfelt thanks go out to the Rangers for the continuing hard work and dedication that they offer both the public and local businesses and here’s to many more years of the same!”

A Safer Future for Winchester

As the WBCRP and Winchester BID look ahead, they remain committed to strengthening security initiatives and supporting businesses in tackling crime. The BID Rangers success demonstrates the power of community collaboration and highlights Winchester as a city that prioritises safety and resilience.

Chief Inspector Korine Bishop, Winchester District Commander said: “This milestone demonstrates the importance of the BID Rangers to the partnership effort needed to keep the city centre a safer environment for all. Our officers, including those from our dedicated city centre Neighbourhood Policing Team, will continue to work with the BID Rangers and all our partners to reduce and prevent crime.”