A new Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) has launched in Crewe to help tackle shoplifting, anti-social behaviour and repeat offending.
Funded entirely by Crewe Business Improvement District (Crewe BID), which represents businesses across Crewe town centre, Nantwich Road and Grand Junction Retail Park, the initiative aims to strengthen safety and support the local business community.
The launch also coincides with National Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) Awareness Week, which runs from March 16th to 22nd and highlights the role partnerships play in reducing retail crime and anti-social behaviour in town centres.
Bringing together retailers, hospitality venues and other organisations, the partnership will allow incidents to be reported, intelligence shared and offenders identified more quickly.
Graham Saunders, Chair of Crewe BID and General Manager of South Cheshire Glass, said: “Safety and security is one of the biggest concerns for businesses here in Crewe. As a BID, we’ve listened to that feedback and taken action by investing in the Business Crime Reduction Partnership.
“It will now give businesses a way to report incidents, share information and work with partners when problems arise, helping to make Crewe a safer place for staff, customers and visitors.”
The BID will be working closely with Cheshire East Council, Cheshire Police and the Cheshire and North Wales BCRP, an organisation established in 2005 that already supports towns across the region and works closely with local policing teams.
Anneliese Budd, Business Crime Manager, who will be working with BID Members, said: “Businesses are often the first to see issues happening on the ground, so it’s important they have a partnership like this in place. The BCRP offers a way to record incidents, flag concerns and identify offenders as they begin to affect local traders.
“When information moves quickly between all parties, it becomes much easier to spot patterns of behaviour and respond earlier.”
Retailers and hospitality venues across the town centre have already signed up, with more expected to join in the coming weeks.
PC Gaz Ryder, Crewe Central Beat Manager added: “Town centres work best when businesses, security teams and policing stay connected. Business Crime Reduction Partnerships help create a visible presence and act as a deterrent to those looking to cause problems.”
