Institute of Hospitality encourages hoteliers to join new hotel crime website
London Hotelwatch, which launched on 11 July, allows hotel operators to report crime directly and share information and network with other hoteliers.
The police will also use the site to update hotel owners and those working in the industry on important crime information as and when it becomes available.
Information sharing
"If your hotel is outside London, do not be put off by the name because use is open to all," Philippe Rossiter, chief executive of the IoH, said.
The goal is for hoteliers across the UK to use the website via a series of regional intranets. The democratic nature of the facility means that the greater the number of users, the more useful the information-sharing device becomes."
The police have worked with Facewatch, the national low level crime reporting database for companies, on the project. It comes just five months after Facewatch announced its scheme would be made free to businesses with a focus on those in the licensed trade and retailers.
Facewatch was originally conceived by Gordon's Wine Bar owner Simon Gordon and also allows users to upload images and CCTV screenshots.
Regional
London Hotelwatch gives hoteliers a direct crime reporting link to Westminster’s hotel liaison police team. A full evidence pack, witness statements, CCTV footage and images can be sent to the Metropolitan Police which the organisation says can help speed up crime-solving.
As a 'communication portal', the site allows security information to be shared amongst hotel managers who sign up in a similar way to sharing info on Facebook.
Sergeant Adrian Haley, of the Westminster Borough Hotel Liaison and Olympic Operational Planning team, said: “The website is aimed not just at five-star luxury properties, but all hoteliers so that everyone has a chance to share information. You can never have too much intelligence.”
Hoteliers are being encouraged to register and sign up for the free site, which complies fully with data protection and has been approved by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). Plans will then be implemented to develop bespoke regional versions of the site so hotels can connect to local police forces easily.
