The Southwest Business Crime Centre (SWBCC) marked the beginning of Safer Business Action Week (#SaBAWeek) in Exeter by hosting its Crime Expo. This landmark event focused on addressing various pressing issues related to business crime, particularly within rural and retail sectors. With generous sponsorship from the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly, as well as UK Partners Against Crime (UKPAC), the Expo attracted delegates and speakers from across Devon and Cornwall, representing a diverse range of businesses and industries.
Opening the Event
The Crime Expo was well-attended by key stakeholders in loss prevention, farming, hospitality, law enforcement, and public services. The event was kicked off by Andrew Sharman from Exeter Business Against Crime (EBAC), who welcomed delegates and set the tone for a day focused on collaboration and practical solutions to business crime.
Gareth Lewis, representing UKPAC, followed by outlining the increasing threat posed by retail crime, particularly in post-pandemic environments where businesses are facing greater vulnerabilities.
Gareth also discussed the wide-reaching impacts of crime on businesses, from financial losses to its toll on employee and customer safety, and highlighted emerging initiatives from within UKPAC aimed at mitigating these risks.
Retail Crime and Hospitality Sector Challenges
A significant part of the discussion centred around the hospitality sector, where recent spikes in crime have raised serious concerns.
Dawn Dines, founder of Stamp Out Spiking, delivered a powerful presentation on the critical issue of drink spiking, a crime that disproportionately affects venues in the night time economy. Dawn elaborated on the work her organisation has undertaken to reduce incidents through prevention strategies, including training programs for staff, awareness campaigns, and collaborations with local authorities. She also shared updates on legislative changes her team is advocating for, which would impose stricter penalties for perpetrators and stronger protections for victims.
Rural Crime: Machinery Theft and Cross-Border Challenges
Nick Maynell from VinChip provided invaluable insights into rural crime, particularly the theft of agricultural machinery, which has escalated in recent years. He explained how VinChip’s innovative tracking system has been instrumental in recovering stolen equipment, often transported across international borders to locations as far as Eastern Europe, Africa, and Australia.
Nick shared specific case studies illustrating how coordinated efforts between law enforcement agencies, insurers, and farmers have led to successful recoveries, underscoring the importance of investing in such technologies to deter rural crime. His presentation reinforced the necessity of proactive crime prevention measures in safeguarding the rural economy, which is highly dependent on expensive machinery that is often targeted by organised criminal networks.
Police Initiatives and New Technologies
Devon & Cornwall Police played a central role in the conference, with Officer Chris Chaloner delivering a presentation on how the police are addressing business crime across the region.
Chris outlined key initiatives, including the deployment of new surveillance technologies, enhanced communication channels between police and local businesses, and the establishment of stronger partnerships with regional stakeholders. Chris' presentation highlighted the significant role of intelligence sharing in preventing crime, with a focus on real-time data analysis to identify crime hotspots and develop targeted policing strategies.
Clark Orchard, representing the Rural Policing Team at Devon & Cornwall Police, gave an in-depth overview of how rural officers are combating issues specific to agricultural communities, such as livestock theft, illegal dumping, and antisocial behaviour in remote areas.
He emphasized that rural crime is often underestimated but has far-reaching impacts on the livelihoods of farming communities. Clark detailed how the Rural Policing Team has increased patrols in vulnerable areas and worked closely with local farmers to implement security measures, such as installing CCTV cameras and utilizing drones for aerial surveillance of rural properties.
Collaborative Partnerships in Crime Prevention
One of the event’s key themes was the importance of partnership-based crime prevention. A session led by Dennis Cavanagh, CCTV Manager for Exeter City Council, Nicola Wheeler, CEO of Exeter’s Business Improvement District (InExeter), and Inspector Nathan Johnson of Devon & Cornwall Police showcased how successful collaboration between law enforcement, local government, and business leaders can make a tangible difference.
They shared examples of best practices that have been developed through joint initiatives, such as coordinated city-wide CCTV monitoring, business watch schemes, and community safety initiatives. The panel discussion highlighted the significance of shared resources and consistent communication to create a unified approach to preventing crime in urban business districts.
Exhibitor Contributions and Networking
The Expo also featured an exhibition where a range of innovative crime prevention technologies were showcased by companies including SentrySIS, Faicetech, SWL Security, and PCE Technology.
SentrySIS, in particular, presented its comprehensive software platform, which enables businesses and law enforcement agencies to collaborate seamlessly in tackling business crime.
The system integrates various tools such as real-time incident reporting, suspect identification detailed analytics and reports, and data-sharing capabilities between local businesses and police. By offering a cloud-based solution, SentrySIS ensures that key data, including CCTV footage and crime reports, can be accessed quickly and securely, facilitating faster responses to incidents. Their platform also includes a mobile app, enabling retailers to report crimes as they happen, share intelligence with nearby businesses, and receive alerts about suspicious activity in the area. Attendees were impressed by the ease of use and scalability of SentrySIS, which is already being implemented in Exeter and several other regions in the South West to significantly reduce business crime.
The exhibition provided delegates the chance to explore new tools and services designed to tackle various forms of business crime.
Interactive Workshop: Building a Comprehensive Business Crime Strategy
In the afternoon session, delegates were invited to participate in a highly interactive tabletop exercise titled "Developing the Perfect Place-Based Business Crime Strategy."
Attendees were divided into smaller groups to discuss strategies for addressing specific business crime challenges. Each group worked collaboratively to formulate actionable solutions, drawing on the expertise of different sectors represented in the room.
Topics ranged from improving incident reporting systems to building stronger ties with local law enforcement and enhancing community awareness programs. Afterward, each group presented their strategies to the broader conference, ensuring that delegates walked away with practical takeaways that could be implemented in their own businesses or within wider city strategy.
Closing Remarks from the Police & Crime Commissioner
The event concluded with a keynote address by Alison Hernandez, Police & Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly. Alison reflected on the day’s discussions, emphasising the critical importance of continued collaboration between the police, businesses, and community stakeholders.
She laid out her strategic plans for the future, which include bolstering resources for rural crime prevention, expanding technological solutions to address business crime, and increasing public awareness campaigns. Alison also reaffirmed her commitment to working closely with local authorities and businesses to create a safer environment for all.