>>Businesses should work with police to cut crime, says Barbara Wilding, chief constable of South Wales Police
Security and stability are essential not only to quality of life but also to economic growth and regeneration. Crime, disorder and fear of crime undermine stability. It is therefore in all our interests to do all we can to eradicate it. Experience has shown that the best way of doing this is through committed partnership working.
On being appointed chief constable of South Wales Police last year, I was somewhat surprised that businesses had not been more involved with Community Safety Partnerships. Since then I have had many meetings with business leaders with a view to highlighting the benefits they and their customers would see through greater involvement, which could also serve as a means of satisfying their corporate social responsibility.
The Asda store in Morriston, Swansea, for example, allocated office space to the police, which enabled a high visibility police presence in the area. The initiative has so far reduced overall crime by 41%. Thefts from vehicles in the car park fell by 80%, fraud fell by 50% and shoplifting fell by 27%.
Similar police offices have been set up in a Sainsbury store in Bridgend, a Tesco store in Swansea and an Asda store in Cardiff. Sainsbury in the McArthur Glenn retail development in Sarn also provided a police office and almost immediately there was a 75% reduction in drivers making off from the petrol station without paying.
Through engagement from businesses, it is clear there is a strong signal for businesses to work in partnership with the police and various other agencies to address crime and the fear of crime. We have developed seven themes that will provide a structure to enable business across the region to contribute to the wider community safety agenda. The seven pillars of corporate social responsibility have been identified as having the greatest community impact opportunities for businesses. Rather than focusing on all seven, it might be useful to concentrate on the two that have clearly demonstrated a tangible benefit to retailers.
First, businesses allowing their staff to become special constables. A Dixons store in London, under the banner of Shopwatch, did just this and the initiative led to a 40% reduction in internal crime.
Second, Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) contribution. Many organisations already have or are
considering the provision of funding for a PCSO within their facility/organisation. The McArthur Glenn outlet in Bridgend has shown a keen interest in paying for a PCSO to complement its security staff.
It is pleasing that the government is giving us additional powers that will allow us greater flexibility to tackle problems. For example, in November 2004 we introduced Penalty Notices for Disorder, which included the provision of Penalty Notices for Retail Crime up to a limit of £200.
In South Wales Police, we have retained the need to arrest and interview but regard the option to issue a penalty notice as another method of dealing with an individual other than charging them in court or issuing them with a caution. Of course, the decision as to whether we issue a penalty notice is subject to scrutiny on a case-by-case basis. However, penalty notices would not be available to those who are persistent or prolific offenders and we would not deal with anyone under the age of 16 by means of a penalty notice.
We see this, however, as the enforcement end of the scale. By working in partnerships with business, we are trying to achieve a robust process for prevention rather than cure. To this end, we have developed a structure to involve businesses at the heart of the community safety agenda.
I hope this will inspire readers to think about the part they can play.
n For further information, contact Inspector Jonathan Edwards on 01656 869367 or e-mail Jonathon.edwards@South-wales.pnn.police.uk
Security and stability are essential not only to quality of life but also to economic growth and regeneration. Crime, disorder and fear of crime undermine stability. It is therefore in all our interests to do all we can to eradicate it. Experience has shown that the best way of doing this is through committed partnership working.
On being appointed chief constable of South Wales Police last year, I was somewhat surprised that businesses had not been more involved with Community Safety Partnerships. Since then I have had many meetings with business leaders with a view to highlighting the benefits they and their customers would see through greater involvement, which could also serve as a means of satisfying their corporate social responsibility.
The Asda store in Morriston, Swansea, for example, allocated office space to the police, which enabled a high visibility police presence in the area. The initiative has so far reduced overall crime by 41%. Thefts from vehicles in the car park fell by 80%, fraud fell by 50% and shoplifting fell by 27%.
Similar police offices have been set up in a Sainsbury store in Bridgend, a Tesco store in Swansea and an Asda store in Cardiff. Sainsbury in the McArthur Glenn retail development in Sarn also provided a police office and almost immediately there was a 75% reduction in drivers making off from the petrol station without paying.
Through engagement from businesses, it is clear there is a strong signal for businesses to work in partnership with the police and various other agencies to address crime and the fear of crime. We have developed seven themes that will provide a structure to enable business across the region to contribute to the wider community safety agenda. The seven pillars of corporate social responsibility have been identified as having the greatest community impact opportunities for businesses. Rather than focusing on all seven, it might be useful to concentrate on the two that have clearly demonstrated a tangible benefit to retailers.
First, businesses allowing their staff to become special constables. A Dixons store in London, under the banner of Shopwatch, did just this and the initiative led to a 40% reduction in internal crime.
Second, Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) contribution. Many organisations already have or are
considering the provision of funding for a PCSO within their facility/organisation. The McArthur Glenn outlet in Bridgend has shown a keen interest in paying for a PCSO to complement its security staff.
It is pleasing that the government is giving us additional powers that will allow us greater flexibility to tackle problems. For example, in November 2004 we introduced Penalty Notices for Disorder, which included the provision of Penalty Notices for Retail Crime up to a limit of £200.
In South Wales Police, we have retained the need to arrest and interview but regard the option to issue a penalty notice as another method of dealing with an individual other than charging them in court or issuing them with a caution. Of course, the decision as to whether we issue a penalty notice is subject to scrutiny on a case-by-case basis. However, penalty notices would not be available to those who are persistent or prolific offenders and we would not deal with anyone under the age of 16 by means of a penalty notice.
We see this, however, as the enforcement end of the scale. By working in partnerships with business, we are trying to achieve a robust process for prevention rather than cure. To this end, we have developed a structure to involve businesses at the heart of the community safety agenda.
I hope this will inspire readers to think about the part they can play.
No comments yet