A new board has been set up to tackle crime against businesses in Essex. Business owners and the police have joined forces to fight back against theft, criminal damage and arson that cost local firms £17m last year...
The new board began at an Essex Chambers of Commerce dinner where the Chamber, Essex Police and the Fire & Crime Commissioner discussed the 23,513 commercial crimes recorded last year.
It was soon realised that neither businesses nor the Police could continue working alone to combat the issue.
Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Roger Hirst, told BusinessTimeinEssex:
"This is an exciting initiative and offers huge potential for us to work with businesses across Essex to create the safe and secure communities that allow all of us to thrive".
Roger added,
"We know that there are well proven ways to make premises, factories, shops and communities safer. CCTV, business watches, Automatic Number Plate Recognition Cameras have all made a significant impact on keeping businesses safer"
A crime against your company is as devastating as one against your home. Any business owner knows the graft that goes into building and growing a firm so the impact of theft or vandalism hits hard.
Denise Rossiter, Chief Executive of Essex Chambers of Commerce, said,
"Crimes against businesses are often thought of as being victimless crimes but they can have a serious impact on individuals and local communities and potentially lead to the closure of the business involved".
Theft with criminal damage is the main issue. Not only is there the loss of tools, stock or equipment to deal with, they also vandalise what they don't take. Arson is the second most recorded crime against businesses in Essex and one that can prove devastating to your ability to trade. The negative effects on you and your staff can be felt for a long time after the insurance forms are filled out... ...Additionally, the financial burden of repair costs and temporary business closure often weighs heavily on small and medium enterprises, making recovery an uphill struggle. To safeguard your business against potential fire threats, implementing robust safety measures and consulting experts becomes crucial. When doing so, considering fire risk assessor selection tips can help ensure you choose a qualified professional to thoroughly evaluate and mitigate potential hazards.
This new initiative is a timely reminder for all businesses to take a look at their security measures and fill in any gaps. Don't let your business become part of next year's crime stats...
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