A new strategy to beat business crime in Staffordshire was centre stage at a regional conference. 
Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis is determined to end the perception that crimes against local businesses are “victimless.”
He has commissioned the Business Crime Matters strategy which is being spearheaded by his deputy Sue Arnold, herself a former president of Southern Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce.
Mrs Arnold was invited to speak about the strategy at Crimestoppers’ Midlands Regional Conference on Thursday, 13 March. The conference, at the National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull, brought together law enforcement agencies, commercial organisations, Neighbourhood Watch and others to look at ways of making communities safer.
Mrs Arnold told the event that the total price tag of burglary, shoplifting, robbery, criminal damage, theft and other offences against businesses in Staffordshire is estimated at around £7,300 per hour. Worryingly, according to the Federation of Small Businesses, over a third (39 per cent) of businesses do not report crime to police.
She said: “Businesses are the lifeblood of local communities across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. But times are tough for small businesses and being a victim of robbery, theft, vandalism or online fraud can be enough to drive them into the ground.
“It was fantastic to be able to talk at the conference about the exciting plans we have for a new approach that treats business crime seriously so that victims are not forgotten.
“It’s about improving support for business owners, making sure they get the best possible service and improving their confidence which will in turn help increase economic growth and job creation in Staffordshire.
“I’m really thankful to Crimestoppers for helping us spread the word that by tackling business crime together we can make a real difference.”
Mark Hallas, Chief Executive for Crimestoppers, said: “Enabling law enforcement agencies, Neighbourhood Watch and commercial organisations to work together with members of the public is critical in the fight against crime.
“We believe that this conference has been essential in highlighting the issues that all of these bodies face and should facilitate better working relationships in the future.
“It’s all about stronger and more effective partnerships.”
