Staffordshire’s Commissioner for Police, Fire and Rescue, and Crime, is calling for more recognition of the effects of business crime and to get behind small businesses.
Speaking at the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) Conference in Stoke-on-Trent, Matthew Ellis promised to share information of best practice in Staffordshire at a national level.
‘Local businesses are the backbone of our society and the mainstay of the British economy.
‘They are the fabric of our community and we need to help them remain in business by preventing business crime.’
The Staffordshire Commissioner began by talking about his own experience of business and how as a victim of business crime he wanted to ensure that others were supported quickly and effectively.
Despite almost being sunk in the first few years through criminality including theft, ‘hold ups’ and shoplifting, the retail business he began in the 1990’s grew into a successful enterprise.
‘First-hand experience of the challenges retail has around criminality is the prime reason why I introduced the first comprehensive policy to tackle business crime here.
‘It is also why a specialist service to support all businesses as victims was established.
‘I strongly support the principles, the ethos and the work of ACS in tackling crime against retailers big and small which is why retail as well as wider crime against businesses continues to feature strongly in the strategy I set out in 2014’.
A number of initiatives have been commissioned to support the business community.
Almost 6,000 businesses have signed up to receive SMART Alerts about business crime matters, getting business specific and targeted information quickly and effectively.
Through the Chamber of Commerce, victims of crime are referred quickly for specific advice on increasing their security and what support mechanisms are available to them as a business.
Since its launch in October, dozens of businesses across the County have signed up to have a cyber champion in their workplace which gives specific advice to Champions within businesses about what to do in the event of a cyber-crime attack. This could be anything from simply receiving a ‘phishing’ email to a complete disruption of service that tries to destroy their data, steal information and even hold the business to ransom.
‘It became apparent throughout my conversations that not all commissioners include business crime in their police and crime plans.
‘As well as discussing the issue with my colleagues across the country, I have given the ACS assurance that they will be able to address their concerns at a national level
‘Crime prevention is critically important to the success of small business, they are more vulnerable than large firms.
‘Small damages to large companies, such as shoplifting, can cause major losses to a small business and more destructive crime, such as a theft or burglary, can sometimes cost a business everything.
‘I have currently commissioned a piece of work to re-draft the joint Business Crime Strategy for a re-launch in spring next year. This will have a clear focus on prevention, enabling business owners to recognise the potential damage from these crimes and the measures they need to take’ said Matthew.
The ACS Security Showcase is a new event for 2018 where retailers gained an insight into the extent and types of retail crime against the convenience sector and challenges to tackle retail crime.
If you are a business and would like to register for SMART Alert visit www.staffordshiresmartalert.uk
Businesses who wish to have free training and create a cyber champion in their workplace should emailPFCC@Staffordshire-pfcc.pnn.gov.uk
