This week, the NFRN political engagement team met with the Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner Angelique Foster to discuss the county’s proposed effects to tackle retail crime, and how the federation can help.
The Commissioner understood how independent retailers cannot afford the same security as retail chains and explained how retailers can be entitled to support through their local councils. The Commissioner is reviewing the importance of Victim Impact Statements to help with court proceedings and has plans to invest more resources into the reporting system.
The Commissioner agreed to explore ways to improve and strengthen communication amongst independent retailers and the force, including information sharing and working closely with members on prevention strategies. Derbyshire currently have a few schemes in place to help those affected by retail crime.
The Business Improvement District (BID) is a business-led and funded body formed to represent and improve a defied commercial area. They can be a powerful for directly involving local businesses in local activities and allow the business community and local authorities to work together and improve the local trading community.
There is also the Police and Security (PaS) scheme, designed to simplify and improve collaboration, communication, trust and feedback between the police and the private security industry. For this, retailers can register online to receive information and weekly updates.
In addition, Derbyshire police also endorse the use of Pubwatch and Shopwatch, emphasising the importance of the community-based crime prevention schemes that promotes communication between retailers and the local police to reduce crime. For more information on these schemes, visit www.derbyshire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/keeping-business-safe-from-crime/business-partnerships-reduce-business-crime/
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