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North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Andy Dunbobbin has given his full support to the National Business Crime Centre's (NBCC) Safer Business Action Week aimed at reducing business crime across the country.
The initiative, running from October 14th, will see police forces and partners collaborating on targeted operations and community engagement to raise awareness of business crime.
To mark the week of action, the Commissioner visited Rhyl to meet with Ashley Rogers, Chief Executive Officer of North Wales Business Council. Their discussions focused on the types of business crime affecting North Wales and strategies for prevention and support.
Business crime takes various forms, including shoplifting, business burglary, and making off without payment. These offences can have significant impacts on businesses, ranging from immediate financial losses to long-term consequences such as increased insurance premiums, costs for additional security measures, and harm to staff wellbeing.
Recent statistics for North Wales, covering October 2023 to September 2024, reveal 4,777 shoplifting incidents, 529 cases of theft making off without payment, 525 business and community burglaries, 382 incidents of criminal damage, and 98 attempted business and community burglaries.
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has been involved in various initiatives to address business-related crime issues. In June 2023, a free event at Wrexham University on cybersecurity for North Wales business owners was co-hosted by the police and the PCC's office. The Cyber Security North Wales conference brought together over 100 attendees to discuss protective measures against cybercrime.
Additionally, in May 2023, the PCC's office organised a conference in Llandudno Junction focusing on Modern Slavery risks to local businesses. In August, the Commissioner visited a Boots store in Bangor alongside Welsh Government Minister Jack Sargeant MS to discuss the issue of retail staff protection against abuse, as part of ongoing efforts to address safety concerns in the retail sector.
Commissioner Dunbobbin is also a strong supporter of the ShopKind campaign, which unites the retail sector to tackle violence and abuse against shopworkers by encouraging respectful behaviour in retail stores.
Andy Dunbobbin, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales said: "This national week of action is a crucial step in addressing the challenges faced by our business community. By working together with local businesses and partners like Ashley, we can develop effective strategies to prevent and tackle business crime across North Wales."
Ashley Rogers, Chief Executive Officer of North Wales Business Council commented: "It's encouraging to see this coordinated effort to combat business crime. My meeting with the PCC has highlighted the importance of collaboration between the police and the business community in creating safer, more prosperous local economies."
Find out more on Safer Business Action Week here: https://nbcc.police.uk/business-support/saba-days/safer-business-action-week