Coventry City Centre is ramping up measures to help shoppers feel safe and supported this festive
period with thousands of safety items set to be handed out ahead of Christmas.

Coventry Business Improvement District (BID) will be hosting its annual safety day in the city centre
on Friday, November 21 and will be distributing more than 8,000 items for free to the public.

It is the third year that the BID has organised the event and it will also present an opportunity for
shoppers to gain expert advice and guidance on how to stay safe while shopping this Christmas.
Shoppers can access a free supply of 4,000 purse dipping bells, 3,000 card defenders, 1,000 purse
and bag cables, and for the first time this year 450 personal alarms with torches.

The event is part of the BID’s commitment to support businesses and visitors to the city centre,
working closely with local banks and West Midlands Police to encourage simple, effective safety
measures during the city’s busiest shopping period.

Joanne Glover, Chief Executive at Coventry BID, said: “Christmas is a fabulous time to visit Coventry,
but as with city centres up and down the country, it is also a time where thieves are most prevalent.

“We want everyone to enjoy the city centre safely this Christmas and small precautions can make a
real difference in deterring crime. We’re delighted to be able to provide these items to the public for
anyone who needs them for a third year running.

“This is one of many measures we are implementing this festive period across the city centre to
make it a welcoming place to shop and spend time with friends and family.”

The tools, which are designed to deter crime and help people shop with confidence, will be handed
out on Friday, November 21 by the fountain in Lower Precinct from 10am to 1pm.

Customers at banks and building societies in the city will also be able to collect a supply of the items
from banks and building societies in the city centre, with Lloyds, Natwest, HSBC and Barclays
supporting the initiative.

In its third year, the initiative continues to receive strong support from businesses in the city centre.
Leanne Reeve, Branch Manager, Lloyds Bank Coventry, said: “Lloyds Bank Coventry is proud to
partner with Coventry BID to offer simple, effective tools that help protect our customers.

“We have customers asking throughout the year for the sleeves and bells, as these items provide our
customers with peace of mind and give confidence whilst shopping in the city centre.”

Phillip Flavell, Assistant Branch Manager at Barclays, added: “The safety items Coventry BID have
provided have been amazing. We’ve been able to distribute them among our customers to help
keep them safe when out and about. A big hit with our customers has been the card defenders.”

Raj Sembi, Branch Manager at NatWest, said: “Coventry BID has played a vital role in supporting our
customers and the wider community by providing free safety tools, such as personal safety bells,
helping to make Coventry a safer place for everyone.”

Liane McCann, from HSBC, added: “We have hugely appreciated the safety items provided and being
able to support customers with bells, chains and card defenders has been amazing. Helping ensure
people feel safe within the community goes a long way.”

To find out more about shopping in Coventry City Centre this Christmas visit
www.coventrycitycentre.co.uk