Business Crime Advisor Bogdan Fironda with PCC Philip Seccombe (Picture taken before social distancing rules)
Shops and other businesses are being reminded of the help that’s available to help them combat crime as they reopen across Warwickshire now lockdown restrictions are beginning to ease.
With many of our town centres beginning to see increased footfall and companies re-opening or scaling their operations back up to more normal levels, it’s an opportune time to ensure they benefit from membership of Warwickshire Business Watch.
The scheme is run in partnership between Warwickshire Police, Warwickshire County Council’s Community Safety Team and the Police and Crime Commissioner. It aims to provide information and advice to businesses and retailers on how they can protect themselves from becoming victim to crime.
Throughout the lockdown period, the Business Watch website has been kept updated by Business Crime Advisor Bogdan Fironda – whose role is directly funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner – a Police Crime Prevention Design Advisor and two Police Volunteers.
The website features the latest alerts about crime affecting businesses as well as detailed crime prevention advice for download on a wide range of topics. Businesses can also find links to other groups who provide support including Trading Standards, the Safe in Warwickshire team and Action Fraud, and also the details of the team behind Business Watch and their contact details.
Shoppers are beginning to return to turn centres with social distancing measures in place.
Over the past few weeks, Business Watch has provided a wealth of information to help businesses as they begin to re-open, including overviews of the changing legislation and advice on cyber security as many firms have sought to bolster their online offerings.
Recent updates have included tips to help businesses ensure they are Covid Secure; the latest on Covid-19-related scams which can affect businesses and practical guidance for those firms operating click-and-collect services.
There’s also a free Business Watch Messaging System which delivers incident alerts straight to your inbox along with a weekly compendium of information and advice.
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe said: “Lockdown has been incredibly tough for businesses and retailers across the county. As they now begin to return to more normal levels of operation, it’s important that the opportunities for them to fall victim of crime are minimised as far as possible.
“That’s why I am keen to encourage as many of them to become members of Business Watch as possible. By working together in partnership with the police and community safety teams, businesses and retailers can help to make themselves more secure and help ensure that criminals don’t profit from an already tough situation.”
To find out more about Business Watch and to sign up to the newsletter and free email alerts, visit www.warwickshirebusinesswatch.co.uk.
