During the period from March 17th to 21st, the first ever National BCRP Awareness Week will be held, that highlights the vital and diverse contributions of BCRPs across the UK and the communities they support.
To commemorate National BCRP Awareness Week, SentrySIS will present a crime partnership each day, providing a detailed overview of their activities and enabling them to share their perspectives on the significance of being a BCRP in the United Kingdom.
Today we highlight Swansea Against Business Crime (SABC)
Swansea Against Business Crime (SABC) is a Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) dedicated to safeguarding business premises in Swansea City Centre. Hosted by the Swansea Business Improvement District (BID), SABC collaborates closely with South Wales Police, the local authority, and other stakeholders to foster a safer environment for shopping, visiting, staying, studying, and conducting business in the city.
SABC's mission is to provide businesses with effective communication tools and a unified voice in combating business-related crime. Its membership encompasses a diverse range of businesses, from large national chains to independent enterprises, spanning the daytime, evening, and night-time economies, including retail and office sectors. By uniting these businesses, SABC aims to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour that adversely affect both businesses and the wider community.
In 2022, SABC enhanced its crime reduction strategy by adopting the SentrySIS platform, a sophisticated crime reporting and intelligence-sharing system. This transition aimed to better protect local businesses, residents, and visitors by facilitating secure, GDPR-compliant data sharing and collaboration among regional crime partnerships. The integration of SentrySIS allows SABC members to access real-time crime intelligence via a web portal or mobile application, thereby improving the efficiency of crime reporting and monitoring.
Demonstrating a proactive approach to addressing business-related crime, SABC, through Swansea BID, launched a strategic pilot programme in November 2023 in partnership with South Wales Police. This initiative included funding additional police patrols in the city centre to tackle issues such as retail theft and anti-social behaviour. The increased police presence yielded positive outcomes, including stop searches, anti-social behaviour referrals, and arrests, thereby enhancing the overall safety of the city centre.
To further bolster security measures, SABC introduced security body cameras for local business owners, available for a nominal weekly rental fee. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance crime prevention, particularly during peak trading periods. Additionally, SABC has invested in providing Store Net radios to businesses, facilitating prompt communication and reporting of local business-related crimes.
SABC's collaborative efforts with Swansea BID and other partners have significantly contributed to creating a secure and welcoming environment in Swansea City Centre. By investing in innovative crime prevention tools and fostering strong partnerships, SABC plays a crucial role in enhancing public safety and supporting the local business community.
To find out more about SABC, please visit their website by clicking here and to find out more about the NABCP, click here.