It was revealed this week that a number of people have been barred after a town centre business complained about their intimidating behaviour, with members of staff being abused, threatened and stalked, and problems with shoplifting.

The business, which has not been named, has teamed up with Daventry Town Centre Partnership (TCP) to tackle the problem.
Using powers under the Against Business Crime initiative the TCP issued an exclusion notice which stops the people entering any premises of the scheme's members.

Originally set up in 2006 by the TCP, the initiative lapsed due to lack of funding but is now being relaunched to tackle crime as part of the town's Business Improvement District (Bid).

Sally Halson, manager of the TCP, said: "This means that businesses can share information about people who they know are going to cause trouble and they can be aware of any problems.
"The Against Business Crime initiative had been pottering along, but now we have the funding from the Bid levy coming in, we can help this particular business and others who are affected."

It will work similar to the Pubwatch scheme with traders sharing the information among themselves. The relaunch of the scheme came after businesses requested something be done to make the town safer during public consultations of the Bid.
The scheme offers free newsletters, crime briefings, seminars and training and exchange of suspects' photographs. For additional money, people can be linked to CCTV and get walkie talkies linked to other member businesses.

Euan Temple, of Temple solicitors in the High Street and a member of the TCP board, said: "In general terms, this is not a bad idea if there is adequate safeguards against the actions of retailers. We don't want people being banned from all shops on the basis of one complaint with no route of appeal."

Town centre businesses should have recently received letters explaining the scheme and the benefits of joining.
However Ian Maddan, owner of Daventry Dry Cleaners in the High Street, said: "This will not make a difference, we are still going to have problems.

"A customer who came in yesterday said he will not come back to me after having an catalogue thrown at his foot because he feels threatened by the youths that gather."

Steve Rhodes, owner of The Games Vault in Sheaf Street, said: "What really needs to be done is find out what the kids want and give them something to do – that will stop kids hanging around.

"Daventry town centre is getting a bad name already. Some of the mums I have coming to pick youngsters up from here feel intimidated. I think it does make a harmful difference to my business if people feel intimidated."

The Against Business Crime initiative is free to join for all businesses within the Daventry Bid zone. For more information on joining the initiative, contact Tim Atkins on 01327 828393 or email tim.atkins@daventrytcp.co.uk.