Strategies taken by Sainsbury’s and police to tackle “inappropriate vehicle use and anti-social behaviour” in a North Cheam car park are being rolled out nationwide.
Residents in the area fed up with the ongoing problems reported them to local officers and the supermarket gain before new measures were enforced.
Sutton Guardian reported last month how the actions were being “tackled on two fronts”, with new ANPR cameras, gates being locked at certain times, and the threat of fines.
READ MORE: Plans for tackling anti-social behaviour at North Cheam Sainsbury's car park revealed
Now the scheme is being applied to other Sainsbury’s stores across the country where similar issues have been experienced.
Cllr Tom Drummond, chair of Sutton Council's Cheam North and Worcester Park Local Committee, said: “We had complaints from residents regarding anti-social behaviour in the Sainsbury’s car park concerning high-performance cars racing around creating noise and disturbance to local residents.
“To that end, I attended a meeting and along with Sainsbury’s and the police developed a strategy to combat this type of behaviour, which I'm pleased to say seems to be working.
“During the meeting, we were informed by a representative from Sainsbury's head office, a number of the proposals we agreed were going to be rolled out across the country to other stores experiencing the same issues.
“I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the police for their continued work ensuring that what was agreed has been implemented.
“Myself and my fellow Conservative councillors in Nonsuch and Stonecot will continue to work hard to combat all types of anti-social behaviour, to make this borough a better and safer place for all residents.”
Photo: Richard Johnson / Facebook
The matter was discussed at the Cheam North and Worcester Park Local Committee meeting, held at North Cheam Sports and Social Club in London Road, on October 4.
It was there where updates on the three ward priorities in the area, alongside community safety issues, were given by the safer neighbourhood team.
It comes as Nonsuch police outlined the actions which were being taken to stamp out the reported misbehaviour going on in the car park on September 3.
A Sutton police spokesman said: "Following reports from residents of vehicles using Sainsbury's North Cheam car park late at night and driving in a dangerous manner, the Nonsuch local policing team worked closely with Sainsbury's senior management, local ward councillors and Sutton Council to put a stop to the activities and hold those responsible to account.
"Since the installation of the cameras in September, and introduction of additional measures including training for security staff and ensuring lockable gates are locked at the correct times, there has been a 100 percent reduction in reports of vehicle related anti social behaviour around the car park.
"The success of this partnership working has lead to Sainsbury's head office reviewing their policy for all their stores across the UK when it comes to working with the police and the wider community."
A Sainsbury’s spokesman said: “We use a range of measures to prevent cases like this [anti-social behaviour]. We regularly review how effective they are.
“Any measures we use are based on a range of factors which are specific to each store.”
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