Business Watch

What is Business Watch?

Business Watch is the term used to describe a group of businesses located together with the common aim of reducing crime. Business Watch is most successful when a partnership approach is employed to tackle a diverse range of crime reduction initiatives.

Business Watch belongs to the community. Wherever you work, you are part of the community. Your company may be large or small, in a factory, office or workshop. Unfortunately, criminals don't take any notice of size. They will have a go at anything!

It is easy to shrug it off and assume it won't happen to you or that little can be done anyway. In fact, a great deal can be done to prevent cime. The police cannot, these days, be expected to do it all, and each of us has a role to play by becoming actively involved in crime prevention. Hence the reason for Wycombe District Council facilitating active partnerships locally known as Business Watch groups.

Business Watch has the full backing of the Thames Valley Police and with their many years' experience in reducing crime, and close partnership working with local companies, crime levels can be significantly reduced.

The partnership approach includes establishing speedy channels of communication, capable of passing quick, accurate information between companies to keep ahead of criminals. This can be via pagers and regular contact through meetings and newsletters. Networking between companies is also encouraged, enabling experiences and knowledge to be pooled for the greater good. Best practice can be identified and shared with others. The partnership ethos has further advantages; products and services from suppliers in the security field can be negotiated collectively for the best deals.

Business Watch Mission Statement

"To sustainably reduce the incidence of crime on Business Parks throughout the district."

Business Watch in Marlow

In 1994 more than £1.25 million worth of computer equipment alone was stolen from Globe Park. Many organisations found themselves repeatedly targeted and with losses mounting, insurance premiums and excesses were on the increase. Business was being profoundly affected, organisations were considering relocation and staff morale suffered.

As a result of this rapidly rising crime rate, and the problems that came with it, Globe Park Business Watch was formed. This has been running successfully since late in 1994, and in the first twelve months there was a 75% reduction in computer crime levels, losses were down to under £500,000 and other incidents, including car crime, were also on a downward trend.

In the first eight months of 1996 the total recorded commercial burglary costs went down to just under £25,000 pounds. The reporting of suspicious incidents is on the increase as organisations and their employees become more security conscious. This increase in vigilance has resulted in a number of arrests and the raising of morale among businesses.

All subscribers are linked through a network of electronic pagers and supported by round-the-clock security patrols by The Corps of Commissionaires. The Corps' on-site patrol dog centre, open 24 hours a day, incorporates facilities for nine German Shepherd dogs, a communications centre, training rooms and rest area. Daily dog patrols now take place and are proving to be very effective - for example, in the first 48 hours of the service getting underway two burglaries were thwarted. Since the centre was opened 14 arrests have been made and the security message is reinforced by warning signs.

Newsletters and news bulletins are published regularly and include a variety of topics of interest such as:

1. an introduction and update from the Business Watch Manager
2. a hot topic on a particular area of concern such as computer or car crime
3. some statistical information to keep people informed of Business Watch's progress
4. some helpful hints and tips on security aimed at both companies and their employees

One of the main stages in the establishment of the Business Watch scheme is the formation of a Committee as the focus for action. The Globe Park Business Watch (covering Globe Park and Thames Industrial Estate) Committee is made up from representatives of:

What are the benefits of joining the Business Watch Scheme?

• A security co-ordinator in the form of the Business Watch Manager working on behalf of the members
• Organisations working in partnership with the common aim of reducing crime on the Business Park
• Increased awareness of security problems and the vaious measures used to combat them
• Collective negotiated buying power providing better products and services for member companies
• Increased communication systems, through a variety of mediums such as Pagers (providing rapid and accurate information), newsletters, regular meetings and networking, to keep everyone informed when incidents occur on the estate
• Information exchange of best practices adopted by member companies
• A security audit of members' company premises, highlighting areas for concern including recommendations for securing premises and property
• Business Watch signage for premises and employees' vehicles
• Dog patrols on the estate providing rapid response supporting local police on the Business Park
• Facilitated ad hoc training

For more information

Please contact:

Lesley Atkinson, Business Watch Manager, on (070) 500 36497

or call

Barry Pember at Wycombe District Council on 01494 421123

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