Aberdeen Shopping Centres Receive National Award

Bon Accord & St Nicholas Shopping Centres in Aberdeen, where OCS holds security contracts, have won a National Safer Shopper Award for their outstanding crime reduction initiatives. The award was given by the Scottish Business Centre and represents the good practice and the partnership approach the centres have to crime management. L-R: Willie Armstrong of the Scottish Business Crime Centre presenting to OCS Senior Controller Dean Hutchings The OCS security team works very closely with Land Securities, who manage the centres, and the Grampian Police. The centres are also members of Safer Aberdeen, a council led initiative focusing on the prevention of crime, and ShopSafe Radio Link, which allows retailers to instantly communicate with each other. Tom McDougall, National Project Co-ordinator for Scottish Business Crime Centre, said: “Achieving the Safer Shopper Award is a real credit to the dedication of Bon Accord & St Nicholas Centres. It takes a high level of commitment to gain the award. The work that was done by a number of key partners in providing a safer shopping experience was evident throughout the accreditation process and underlines their commitment to safety and security in the centre. I wish to congratulate them on achieving this award.” Operations Director Eddie Ratcliffe commented: “The team at Bon Accord & St Nicholas Centres are a fantastic group and are renowned in the local area for their hard work. OCS has held the contract at the centres for ten years now and it’s a really great example of how working closely with our client can deliver excellent results.” OCS has recently won five national BSIA awards and awaits selection for the national awards to be announced in June.