Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis’ new strategy to beat business crime will help promote economic growth across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
Mr 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 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. I’m determined that businesses who are victims of crime will not be forgotten. I’ve asked Sue to deliver this vital strategy for me due to her extensive commercial experience, including her previous role on the Chamber.”
Businesses and economic leaders are being consulted about the strategy which has already won the support of the Business Economic Partnership (BEP) for Lichfield and Tamworth.
Councillor Jeremy Oates, Tamworth Borough Council Portfolio holder for Community Development and Voluntary Sector, said: “We are pleased that Staffordshire is at the vanguard nationally of ensuring that business crime is given a high priority.
“Business crime can act as a significant anchor on economic growth as its impact not only causes financial hardship for businesses, but it also dents the ambition of both the business owners and their employees.
“The BEP as a partnership understands the critical role of coordination of partners and resources in ensuring that both the detection and victim support services can operate as effectively as possible for the benefit of businesses in Staffordshire. This more integrated approach to business crime is also further evidence that Staffordshire is a great place to locate, grow and invest in business, setting us apart from other areas.”
Councillor Ian Pritchard, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Growth & Development, said: “We are committed to supporting our businesses across the district, and so welcome this initiative. Crime against businesses is a drain on local companies, and so advice for how to deal with it, if it does happen, and how to prevent it from happening, is to be commended.”
Latest reported crime figures show that there’s almost one crime every hour in Staffordshire where businesses are the victims. The total price tag of burglary, shoplifting, robbery, criminal damage, theft and other offences against businesses in Staffordshire is estimated at over £7,300 per hour. And, worryingly, according to the Federation of Small Businesses, over a third (39 per cent) of businesses do not report crime to police.
Mrs Arnold said: “Companies can feel that crime against them is seen as victimless and that it is hard to get help if needed.
“We are calling for a new approach that treats business crime more seriously, where company owners get the support they need.
“It’s about giving businesses tailored, real-time crime prevention advice to reduce the chance of them becoming victims. It means offering timely support and guidance to businesses when they are unfortunate enough to be targeted – and helping them to not become repeat victims.”
