Trowbridge BCRP Gains Support After Successful West Wiltshire Business Expo
Plans for a Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) in Trowbridge have received a positive response from local businesses, councillors and South West Wiltshire MP Dr Andrew Murrison, following discussions at this year's West Wiltshire Business Expo on how partners can work together to reduce crime and create a safer environment for businesses and customers alike.
The one day event brought together hundreds of visitors from across the county to talk about issues as wide ranging as AI, Sustainability and Cyber Security, Marketing, HR & Mental Health, Finance, Legal, Skills and Tech for Growth.
The Wiltshire & Swindon Business Crime Reduction Partnership attended the expo, where conversations with attendees highlighted the challenges posed by retail crime and anti-social behaviour in Trowbridge. Many spoke about the benefits of a more coordinated response, creating an opportunity to discuss how a Business Crime Reduction Partnership could support businesses while helping agencies work more effectively together.
Evidence from Salisbury, where Wiltshire's first Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) has been operating, suggests the model can play an important role in supporting efforts to tackle retail crime and anti-social behaviour. The partnership has brought together businesses, Wiltshire Police, Salisbury City Council and other local agencies to improve intelligence sharing, strengthen reporting and coordinate action against repeat offenders.
While challenges remain, the partnership has demonstrated some of the benefits of a more coordinated approach. Earlier this year, two prolific shoplifters were jailed following a collaborative investigation involving police, businesses, Salisbury BID and the city's CCTV network, with officers describing the convictions as a direct result of partnership working through the BCRP.
Partners say the scheme has also encouraged more consistent reporting and improved the flow of information between businesses and agencies, helping to build a clearer picture of offending and support a more coordinated response. Although there is still more work to do, Salisbury has provided valuable insight into how partnership working can help address issues affecting town centres.
As Trowbridge looks to establish its own Business Crime Reduction Partnership, Salisbury offers a local example of how businesses and public services can work together to tackle shared concerns and support safer, more resilient town centres.
Steve Davis is the Business Crime Reduction Partnership Officer at the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon:
"Salisbury has shown the value of bringing businesses, police and local authorities together to address issues such as retail crime and anti-social behaviour. We've seen positive examples of how better intelligence sharing and partnership working can support action against repeat offenders, while also helping agencies develop a clearer understanding of the challenges facing the city centre.
"Like any partnership, there is always more to do. A key focus moving forward is continuing to build confidence among businesses, strengthening relationships and ensuring that retailers feel supported and listened to when concerns are raised.
"The interest we've seen from businesses at the West Wiltshire Business Expo, alongside discussions with the Trowbridge Chamber, local councillors and Dr Andrew Murrison MP, suggests there is a real appetite to explore how the model could work in Trowbridge.
"A Business Crime Reduction Partnership gives businesses a stronger voice, improves the flow of intelligence and helps agencies work together more effectively. We're looking forward to working with partners in Trowbridge to develop an approach that reflects the needs of local businesses and the wider community."
Carey Tesler is the chair of the Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce:
"It was great to have Wiltshire Police demonstrating their multi facetted strengths, such as the excellent Panel Discussion on Cyber Security by Simon Goodwin, and the display by the BCRP promoting the necessity for additional reporting, communication and security for businesses in town centres."
"As Chair of The Trowbridge Chamber, I’m also responsible for the Trowbridge Shopwatch scheme, and I am only too aware of the need to work with the police to combat shoplifting and ASB, which has become the new norm in towns throughout the UK. I hope we can benefit from a BCRP in Trowbridge, county town of Wiltshire, in the future."