A new strategy by Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis is making sure businesses in Burton and Uttoxeter get the best information to help them avoid becoming victims of crime.
Mr Ellis has commissioned the Business Crime Matters strategy to beat business crime and help promote economic growth across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
It is being delivered by his deputy Sue Arnold, herself a former president of Southern Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce.
The latest change under the strategy sees crime reports grouped into 20 business sector headings for the first time – such as ‘construction’, ‘hotel, food and leisure services’ and ‘retail – with electronic alerts sent to subscribing businesses every day.
This will allow Staffordshire Police to identify crime trends and help businesses avoid becoming victims.
Mrs Arnold said: “Businesses are the lifeblood of local communities across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. But times are tough for small firms and being a victim of robbery, theft, vandalism or online fraud can be enough to drive them into the ground.
“Businesses need to know that crime against them is never ‘victimless’ and that they will not be forgotten. This new strategy is about building confidence in businesses by providing them with timely information that is relevant to their sector and the area where they are based. It’s about providing tailored advice, rather than having a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach.”
Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Jon Drake, from Staffordshire Police, added: “Staffordshire Police treats business crime extremely seriously. Recording and grouping crime by business sector means we can identify trends and have a real-time view.
“It enables us to spot crime patterns readily so that we can provide a targeted response and allows us to send out high-quality information that is relevant to businesses. I strongly urge businesses to subscribe to these alerts.”
Businesses across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent can sign up for the free business crime alerts at http://www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk/business/