Staying Connected

What is the Alert System?

The ALERT System is a digital crime prevention system which creates a real-time communication network used by businesses, security teams, and police across Southend.

Users can instantly connect with others to make them aware of incidents including theft, anti-social behaviour, or vulnerable individuals. The system is also used alongside radios to help create a safer, more responsive environment for staff and customers.

The night time economy ALERT system is coordinated through Southend Pubwatch in partnership with:

Southend City BID

Southend City Council

Community Safety Officers

Southend Nights networks

How does it work?

Participating businesses nominate individuals to be system users, this is usually the management team and security personnel.

After registering, users can access information about incidents and upload their own.

If there is a current incident, users can also broadcast instant alerts to other bars, pubs, clubs, restaurants, CCTV operators, and Essex Police.

The system is regularly reviewed to ensure access remains relevant to each user.

In an emergency, always dial 999. Loading incidents onto the ALERT system is not a substitute for reporting a crime to the police, it works in alongside to ensure businesses ae kept informed.

Who can use ALERT it?

The system is available to:

Southend city centre venues operating between the hours of 6pm and 6am including bars, clubs, pubs, restaurants.

Licensed premises.

Police and security teams.

Community safety partners.

Evening and Night Time Economy businesses can request access to the systems by providing their name, business name, business address, and contact information to info@southendnights.co.uk

The ALERT system is free to use and the radio system carries a monthly fee.

What kind of alerts can be sent?

Examples include:

Aggressive or abusive individuals

Suspicious behaviour

Use of banned substances

Vulnerable persons needing support

Requests for police or medical assistance

Updates on known offenders or banned individuals

The system is in place to keep workers and customers safe.

What is the Townlink radio system?

The Town Link radio system is used by businesses across Southend-on-Sea to help develop a safer trading environment.

Venues can instantly share information with neighbouring venues to warn others of incidents, share intel, prevent crime, and keep people safe. The system links directly into the city’s CCTV control room as well as safety personnel such as the police.

What type of information would be shared?

There are lots of situations where venues can work together to keep customers and staff safe through the use of the radios. For example, if a venue has removed an individual or group for aggressive behaviour, they can instantly notify all other venues so door or bar staff are aware and may choose not to serve them.

How do I get a radio?

The radio service is provided through ShopSafe. For further details call 0870 600 2006 or email support@shopsafe.uk .

How do these services link to Southend Nights?

As part of the wider Southend Nights safety framework, using one or both of these systems complements other schemes such as Southend and Leigh Pubwatch, and initiatives like Ask for Angela.

Together, these tools create a cohesive, city-wide approach to night-time safety and business resilience.