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Business Action Group
In 2007, the West Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, with the support of the local police (including the Thames Valley Chief Constable) set up a "Business Action Group" (BAG), comprising Chamber members, local authority community/crime experts, local businessmen and the police (including a Police Community Support Officer).
While crime rates in West Berkshire remain a matter of concern - and while it is agreed that some 50% of all crimes are business-related - police targets prioritise residential and town centre crime, rather than business/commercial. Obtaining key data on business crime from police sources is also difficult.
Since its inception, the BAG has worked with the police, comparing its data with survey data from the local business community, to identify key target areas: theft of/theft from/damage to motor vehicles, vandalism/hooliganism/anti-social behaviour, and burglary (non-dwelling). The PCSO is now directed towards these areas, working with the BAG, Crime Reduction Advisor, Safer Communities Manager and local businesses themselves.
The BAG is developing key performance indicators, and ensuring the initiative is well promoted - via local media and websites, Chamber contact forums etc. Local company Bayer has also funded a vehicle for the PCSO.
In the coming year, the initiative will be evaluated and different funding solutions examined, in the expectation that the scheme will be successful enough not only to be continued in its current Newbury/Thatcham/Theale area, but also repeated in other parts of West Berkshire. The overarching priority of the Community plan is to improve the quality of life for all in West Berkshire.
Quality of life is, in no small way, due to the success of the businesses operating within West Berkshire.
Increasing business related crime has the potential to place this success in jeopardy and whilst recognising that TVP have limited resources, the Chamber proposes that, based on the expected success of this pilot, the appointment of additional PCSOs will be rolled out to other business crime hot spots identified by West Berks Crime Analyst and funded by the business community, either by means of three Business Improvement District Process, or else direct sponsorship.
Steve Painter
Maxim Securities use technology and industry standard accredited staff to create and supply a competitive range of detection and protection services.
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