A Business Crime Forum aimed at improving relationships between the commercial community and the police is set to be rolled out across Avon and Somerset.
The Business Crime forum was announced by Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens in her election-winning speech last November and consultation with the business community has now begun.
Mountstevens told SecurityNewsDesk there has been a “very positive” reaction among businesses in the area and representatives from transport, banking, construction, retail, energy and the farming community attended a scoping session to address areas that would be beneficial.
“Rather than looking at the differences it’s important to look at the commonality that businesses were looking for from the police,” said Mountstevens.
The Commissioner said business leaders desire a greater input into local policing and to get a voice within the constabulary. She admitted concerns that crime towards business is often viewed as “victimless” despite the fact companies spend “significant” money on security.
Information covering best practice in CCTV security, training security staff, case studies and joint initiatives are to be shared, together with prevention work with communities and schools to highlight the impact of business crime.
Mountstevens, a former director of Mountstevens bakeries, highlighted improving communication after a crime has been reported and the initial police response as a key area for improvement.
She added: “It is about building better relationships between the constabulary and the businesses and really my role is to bring those two groups together
“We will be looking at this over the next month and then we will launch the Business Crime Forum in the summer.”
