WHAT IS IT?
The Launceston Retail Partnership is a strategic program aimed at reducing crime and anti-social
behaviour in and around the City of Launceston and to improving the relationship between the
police, business communities and young people.
As an initiative of Cityprom, the Launceston Retail Partnership Steering Committee has been
established to explore how these issues can be addressed. As part of the Committee’s strategy, the
LRP Business Ban and ‘Safe Haven’ program have been developed to assist retailers in managing the
impact of negative behaviours and providing an inclusive and supportive environment for young
people.
By joining up as an LRP member, you are helping to keep our City a safe and friendly place where
everyone is able to come together to share a range of enjoyable experiences.
Steering Committee Members
Members of the Launceston Retail Partnership Steering Committee:
Rod Paterson- Autobarn
Andrew Doyle (Telstra)
Danni Hay (Red Herring)
Paula Garwood (What’s New)
Robin Smith (Coffee Republic) Inspector Johnston (Tas Police)
Jane Douglas (Youth Justice)
Tamara Clark (COL)
Alison Filgate (Headspace)
Sarah Courtney (MP)
Rosemary Armitage (MLC)
Alderman Simon Wood (COL)
Vanessa Cahoon (Cityprom)
Mayor van Zetten (COL)
Luke Dawson (Wanted)
LAUNCESTON RETAIL WATCH FACEBOOK PAGE
Steering Committee member, Cityprom Board member and owner of Wanted Streetwear, Luke
Dawson established the Launceston Retail Watch Page (LRW) over twelve months ago.
LRW is a private Facebook group with 170 retail member designed to help share information in real
time about theft and anti-social behaviour happening in the retail environment in Launceston.
Information about offenders is posted for all members to see and should be a deterrent for potential
offenders.
The success of this page has been demonstrated with some of the shared information resulting in
offenders being apprehended and charged with theft, a win for local business. You don’t have to be
a member of the LRP to sign up as a member of this page, you can contact Luke Dawson at
luke@wantedstreetwear.com or contact us at info@cityprom.com.au
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MULTI-STORE BUSINESS BAN
The multi-store ban aims to prevent people who have exhibited aggressive behaviour or who have
stolen from a business, repeating these behaviours in other businesses in Launceston.
We believe the ban will send a strong message to offenders; businesses are taking a stance against
theft and aggressive behaviour. As well as helping to keep our City a safe and friendly place, we are
hopeful that the impact of a multi-store ban will help to minimise the incidence of negative
behaviours and act a strong deterrent.
How does it work?
The Launceston Retail Partnership multi-store ban is a voluntary concept, open to any Launceston
business. By signing up to the ban, you must agree to uphold the terms and conditions set out by the
LRP steering committee. Our aim is to keep the business ban as simple as possible so that it is easy
to understand and simple to manage.
As the designated person for your business, you will be responsible for issuing the business ban in
the form of a letter to an offender who fits either of the criteria outlined; however, to do so, you
must have obtained the name of the person for the ban to be valid. This ensures we are able to take
further action in the event that the person chooses to ignore the ban.
In situations where the police are called to press charges, obtaining details will be easy but if this is
not the case, then we suggest that you use the Launceston Retail Watch Facebook page to ask for
assistance in identifying the offender.
Once the offender is issued with a notification letter from a member of the LRP, the ban is
considered active within all affiliated businesses for a period of twelve months. Each time a ban is
issued to an offender; you will be notified via the closed social media groups and email. In addition,
the Launceston Retail Watch Facebook page will provide information on people who are banned and
the timeframes involved.
Criteria for issue of ban
For a person to be issued with a ban, they must engage in either of two activities:
1. Display aggressive behaviour - this can be in the form of physical or verbal behaviour which
makes you or your staff feel uncomfortable.
2. Attempt to or be found to have stolen property from your business. The offender does not
necessarily need to have been charged.
For the bans to be effective, it is essential that businesses adhere to the guidelines as set out by the
Launceston Retail Partnership Steering Committee and care must be taken to ensure that no-one is
incorrectly issued with a ban.
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Issuing the Ban
There are several methods you can use to issue the ban notification letter; this is up to each
individual business owner/manager.
1. Issue the ban yourself to the offender.
2. Request Tasmania Police to issue the ban on your behalf; there will be a charge of $38.50. If
you choose this option, you must have the offenders name and address so the ban can be
delivered.
3. Issue of the ban through an independent service provider at your own expense, this will be
approximately $120. Again you must have a name and address, Cityprom can provide you
with contact details for the provider if you would like to choose this option.
Should you choose to issue the ban yourself, here are some suggestions that you may find helpful.
When approaching the offender we suggest you do so with caution, ensure that you have other staff
present who are aware of the situation and if you have camera surveillance, choose a point in the
store with the best vantage point. The delivery method is up to each individual, however we have
provided some suggestions you may find helpful.
1. Approach with caution, ensuring the presence of other staff members.
2. Clearly state the name of the offender and hold out the letter. Once it is accepted, you can
state “As the Manager/Owner of (business name) and a member of the Launceston Retail
Partnership, I am issuing you with a ban, please leave the premises immediately”.
3. In the event that the offender chooses not to accept the notification letter, you are able to
drop it at their feet and state the same; this will still activate the ban.
Once you have issued a letter of notification, you are responsible for notifying Cityprom so that they
can share the information with other members and Tasmania Police. A copy will be kept on file and
one provided to the police.
How is the ban enforced?
The success of the multi-store ban will rely heavily on adherence to the guidelines and active
enforcement by the LRP members. In the event that an offender with an active ban in place enters a
banned premise, we urge you to contact the police as soon as you can on ?????
In line with the terms of the ban, an offender may then be prosecuted for trespassing by Tasmania
Police.
How long does it last?
Once issued, the multi-store ban will be in place for a twelve month period; however, an offender
will have the opportunity to apply for a shortened term after a six month period, whereby a
reduction will be considered in return for a designated amount of community service hours. In this
instance, the application will be considered by the LRP steering committee and the person who
initiated the ban.
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‘SAFE HAVEN’
As part of the charter of the Launceston Retail Partnership, we are committed to ensuring that
young people feel valued, safe and acknowledged as integral part of our community. Although
statistics show that there is a higher rate of theft and anti-social behaviour associated with younger
people, these groups are in reality, only a small minority within our community. The concept of a
safe haven program has been run successfully in many cities across the world and as part of the LRP
we aim to integrate a similar concept.
“It takes an organised community to defeat violence. South London CITIZENS
has helped us to get organised.” Billy Mizen, brother of Jimmy Mizen
murdered in 2008, and the inspiration for the Safe Havens initiative.
Click here for more details on London’s Safe Haven’s project.
http://www.maybo.com.au/file/3/citysafe-resource-guide-v5.pdf
By signing up to be part of LRP, you are also agreeing to provide assistance to a young person in
trouble.
What do you have to do?
1. By displaying the LRP sticker in your business window, you are showing a young person that
they can enter your business to seek assistance.
2. All you need to do is contact either the police or the person’s parent/guardian and let them
remain with you until the contacted person arrives.
3. Agree to report 100% of crime.
As part of the Steering Committee’s ongoing work, a campaign will be developed in conjunction with
school students and other key groups to ensure effective communication of the program.
HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER OF THE LAUNCESTON
RETAIL PARTNERSHIP?
Membership is free, if you would like to become part of the LRP all you need to do is provide us with
your details and complete the membership form.
Once you have signed up, we will issue you with the multi-store ban letter template and an
accompanying LRP sticker which you can display on your window. When issuing a notification letter,
all you need to do is fill in the name of the person, the date of issue and provide a copy to Cityprom
at Vanessa@cityprom.com.au or by post PO Box 1441 Launceston 7250.
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LAUNCESTON RETAIL PARTNERSHIP MEMBERSHIP FORM
Name……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Business………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Address…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Position held………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Email………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
*I hereby agree to abide by the guidelines as set out by the Launceston Retail Partnership Steering
Committee in relation to the Launceston Retail Partnership.
Signature……………………………………………………………………………………….
Date………………………………………………………………………………………………
Return form to info@cityprom.com.au
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