This week marks Safer Business Action (SaBA) Week. Which forms a key part of the national effort to tackle retail crime, anti-social behaviour and other offences affecting businesses in communities across the UK.
Coordinated and supported by the National Business Crime Centre (NBCC), SaBA Week brings together policing teams, Business Crime Reduction Partnerships, Business Improvement Districts and retailers in a joint effort to reduce crime and improve safety for staff and customers alike.
In 2024 SaBA Week resulted in over 750 arrests across the country. Police and partners held over 640 SaBA days and events involving more than 3,400 police officers and PCSOs. This initiative is backed by £2 million in funding from the Home Office to the NBCC.
Aligned with our objective of ‘maintaining and developing schemes and initiatives which support the prevention of crime and the creation of a safe environment for all who work in and use the BID area’, we partnered with Thames Valley Police for a business visit session.
Our visits took place on Wednesday 12th November, during which time we spoke to a range of businesses within the Western Business area to help provide guidance on current issues. We were joined by four Bracknell PCSO’s who have experience and knowledge of the current issues within the area. We were able to visit multiple businesses within the Western Business area, showing Police presence and the chance for businesses owners and employees to highlight their issues both past and present.
Thames Valley Police were able to offer advice and guidance on crime reporting and provide contact details should further issues arise. Bracknell BID will also be completing visits within the Southern Business area in order to make informed decisions about how to improve the safety and security of all staff.
We would like to thank Thames Valley Police for joining us and all the businesses who participated in sharing their issues.