Nominees: James Eden and Gary Nicholls – Street Wardens for Reading BID
James Eden and Gary Nicholls, Street Wardens for Reading’s Business Improvement District (BID), have demonstrated exceptional dedication and skill in their roles, making a significant impact on the town’s retail landscape and setting a new standard for community safety and retail security.
From January to October 2024, James and Gary helped recover nearly £63,000 worth of stolen stock and made a demonstrable difference to the safety of the town centre.
Here’s a selection of their achievements:
• Arrested an offender and recovered £2,000 worth of stolen goods
• Detained an offender who had stolen £3,500 worth of stock
• Recovered over £1,000 from a town centre retailer in one month
• Worked with Reading Buses to apprehend two offenders who had stolen a brand-new iPhone
• Identified an offender from the back of their head, assisting with a business crime reference
• Prevented a known pickpocket from stealing from a local resident
• Recovered stolen goods and prevented an offender from selling them on
• Located a local missing resident who has dementia
• Helped a visitor on crutches who slipped in bad weather, ensuring they were safe
James and Gary’s influence extends beyond mere crime prevention. Their tireless efforts have not only resulted in significant financial savings for businesses but have also contributed to creating a safer, more secure environment for Reading’s residents and visitors. They have become integral members of the Reading community, regularly visiting BID businesses to offer support and advice. This proactive approach has fostered a sense of security and trust among local retailers and residents alike.
Their Commendation of Excellence from Thames Valley Police, awarded in December 2024, is a testament to their exceptional service. As the only non-police personnel to receive this honour, James and Gary have set themselves apart as exemplary figures in community safety and retail protection. Their work goes beyond the call of duty, demonstrating a deep commitment to the well-being of their community.
As nominees for the ‘Local Heroes’ category in the Retail Risk ‘Pride of Retail Risk’ awards, James and Gary represent the pinnacle of dedication, skill, and community service in the retail security sector.
Testimonial from Alice Rampling, Head of Operations at Reading BID: “The BID wardens continue to provide support across Reading Town Centre. From shoplifting recoveries, to helping public with queries, and dealing with anti-social behaviour they are an asset to the town, and strongly relied upon from businesses. In the last 3 months of 2024 the guys recovered approximately £22k. They also work in fantastic partnership with the local police team, and joint patrols, and operations are undertaken, most recently dealing with illegal scooters.”