Safer Business: London First working in partnership with the Metropolitan Police to promote businesses protection initiatives Crime costs business at least £19 billion per year in the UK and 22 percent of all recorded crime in London is directed towards businesses, making it a real business continuity issue. Safer Business is about “galvanising the business community, working alongside the police, into combating such crime”. The launch event looked at successful initiatives such as: * Project Griffin where police brief businesses' security personnel on counter-terrorism * ShopWatch where retail businesses have recruited Specials from their employees, leading to a cut in crime. * Safer Neighbourhoods teams working together with regional government and local businesses to share their concerns and provide advice on ways to protect themselves Speaking at the launch, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair said: "A key question for the Police Service is where and how we can best connect with the business community in order to prevent and detect crime. We have to build effective partnerships at every level, starting with our Safer Neighbourhoods teams and going all the way through to the Business Advisory Group, and we have to be prepared to learn from each other. Together we can have a big impact on crime." Baroness Jo Valentine, Chief Executive of London First, a business membership group whose aim is to improve and promote London , said: "Business thrives on creativity, finding innovative solutions to new problems. Safer Business demonstrates what can happen when business, police and government work together to pool ideas and combat crime. We urge more companies to roll up their sleeves, get involved in the initiatives on offer, and make safety their business."
•Date: 9th March 2006• Region: UK • Type: Article •Topic: BC general |
