EVERYONE recognises the blue-uniformed Winchester BID Rangers who patrol the city centre.

The scheme was first launched in November 2018 to provide a professional and reassuring presence for shoppers, business owners and local residents.

Now, a year later, the rangers have recovered more than £20,000 worth of goods from offenders.

When the scheme first launched, Jane Bastock, BID business crime reduction manager, said: "The rangers will provide a professional and reassuring presence within the city centre.

"They will be providing frontline customer service, handling situations as they arise and supporting the other frontline emergency services, carrying out daily patrols to help act as a deterrent whilst becoming a welcoming and reassuring sight and presence for the public."

Dr Paul Spencer, Bid director, said: "Working closely with Hampshire Constabulary and other agencies, we introduced the Winchester BID Rangers scheme in November 2018 to help reduce business crime and provide additional security in the city centre.

"We have received very positive feedback about the scheme from the local business community. One year on and as well as providing a professional and reassuring presence in the city, the Rangers have helped to prevent over £20,000 worth of goods from being stolen from local businesses."

Dr Spencer added: "The Rangers are security trained and accredited and patrol the streets as part of the BID's commitment to providing a safer city centre environment for people who work, visit or live in Winchester."