Two partnerships that are leading the fight against business crime in Newcastle and Stoke-on-Trent have been recognised for their outstanding efforts.
Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis is determined to end the perception that crimes against local businesses are “victimless.”
He has commissioned a new strategy to tackle business crime – called Business Crime Matters – which is being spearheaded by his deputy Sue Arnold, herself a former president of Southern Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce.
Mr Ellis and Mrs Arnold handed framed certificates to Doug Morris from Newcastle Partnership Against Business Crime and Julie Davies from Stoke-on-Trent Business Crime Reduction Partnership, in recognition of their ‘outstanding contribution to reducing business crime in Staffordshire’. They were joined by Chief Superintendent Jon Drake, business crime lead for Staffordshire Police.
The partnerships, which bring local businesses together to fight and prevent town centre crime, are part of umbrella organisation Partnerships Against Business Crime in Staffordshire (PABCIS) which sets the standards for local partnerships.
Both areas have also received funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Proceeds of Crime Fund (formerly Local Policing Fund). CCTV coverage will be boosted in Newcastle thanks to a £15,000 grant to the Newcastle partnership to pay for cameras outside North Staffordshire Justice Centre. Meanwhile, £12,000 was given to the Stoke-on-Trent partnership to set up new partnerships in Leek, Cheadle and Biddulph.
Mr Ellis said: “Small businesses are the lifeblood of local communities in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent but being a victim of robbery, theft or vandalism can be enough to drive them into the ground and make people’s lives a misery.
“For the first time, 100 per cent of funding that comes back to Staffordshire Police from proceeds of crime seizures is going directly to local communities. This is funding local schemes to help businesses to fight back against criminals.
“We are now consulting on this new strategy which recognises how important small local businesses are and that when they suffer crime they are victims in the same way that someone who is robbed in the street is a victim.”
Chief Supt Drake added: “I’m absolutely delighted to be recognising the incredible achievements of Julie and Doug. Their tenacity, passion and commitment in this area has let to us being able to present certificates in recognition of the contribution that their organisations make to tackling business crime in partnership with the police.
“The work they are doing is helping reduce crime and keep people safe during the day and night – particularly in town centres.”
The Proceeds of Crime Fund (formerly known as the Local Policing fund) is supporting projects in conjunction with local policing teams and local authorities. Local Authorities and Community Safety Partnerships either solely or in collaboration can now make an application for funding for 2014/15. The fund is made up of assets and money seized by police from criminals in Staffordshire under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Key partner agencies aligned to Local Policing, Staffordshire Police continues to robustly strip criminals of their assets – hitting them where it hurts.
For more details visit http://www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk/fund/
