At the level of local neighbourhoods, communities suffer when small businesses become the victims of crime and are often forced to close. On a wider level, people may feel unsafe in a perceived area of crime and therefore choose to shop somewhere they feel safer, leading to a decline in sales within a given shopping area. This can also be a factor where supermarket car parks are targeted by criminals.
Business crime itself is wide ranging from, for example, shoplifting, credit card fraud and commercial burglary. It also encompasses so called “White Collar” crimes and issues relating to the entertainment and licensed premises sector.
Commercial burglary for the West Midlands region alone is running at 27,000 costing £75 million per annum (2004-05).
The Partnership is working alongside the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, the Retail Crime Operation, Government Office for the West Midlands, City Centre Management and Citywatch to address these issues. It is establishing links with other organisations at regional level and also looking at local areas where help is needed.
Analysis and intelligence is used to highlight hotspots of business crime and thus effectively target resources and initiatives. CCTV schemes provide reassurance and potential evidence on shopping streets and within commercial premises.
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