Crime Commissioner's Blog – Stop Business Crimes

Posted 1st May

This week the Constabulary held a conference aimed at tackling business crime across the county. Over 80 delegates attended the event, which aimed at opening a two way dialogue between the Constabulary and the business community.

Business Crimes has fallen by 40% and crime itself is at its lowest levels since the early 1990s. But this doesn't mean the Constabulary should rest on their laurels. For the past 12 months I've been scrutinising the Constabulary and challenging the Chief Constable to ensure the Constabulary works as hard as they can to detect crimes and reduce the amount of victims across the county.

It's a common conception that business crime is victim less. I'm here to tell you it isn't. I was delighted to see so many people attending the conference as it shows that they too share my view that businesses are victims who suffer at the hands of criminals.

There are lots of things that businesses can do to help reduce the risk of them becoming victims of crime. This includes modernising their security systems, participating in Business Watch or become part of a Business Improvement District. Employers can also encourage their employees to become Special Constables. This provides a benefit to the business, Constabulary and the employee themselves. If anyone is interested in the Special Constabulary then visit www.cheshire.police.uk

It was interesting to hear the conversations in the room, and it was agreed that these events would be a regular occurrence. It highlights to me the dedication of the delegates in the room to tackling business crime, and shows that we can all work together for a brighter future.