Business Crime Partnership steps up fight in tackling commercial crime

As a result of collaborative working between the Business Crime Partnership (BCP) and the business community in Northern Ireland new plans have been launched to tackle criminality that threatened the livelihood of the local commercial sector.

BCP partners, including the Department of Justice, Police Service of Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Policing Board, and Police and Community Safety Partnerships, with the support of businesses from across Northern Ireland have launched an action plan and  support website designed to meet the needs of local businesses.

Department of Justice, Sinead Simpson, Chair of BCP said: “Respect for the law and each other are fundamental requirements for a stable society. The Business Crime Partnership exists to support the thousands of businesses, large and small, who work in a fiercely challenging sector to serve our community.

“Working in partnership with the commercial sector we aim to deliver around the clock support, advice and guidance for businesses to help them protect themselves from criminals who seek to target them.

“I would encourage all business to follow the simple advice and guidance we are offering and to join with us and tackle business crime together.”

The revised Business Crime Action Plan takes a two strand approach. It focuses on providing crime prevention and protective security advice to tackle the increasingly sophisticated methods criminals are using to target businesses. The plan also sets out to identify new ways in which the Criminal Justice System can directly support businesses.

The PSNI’s Business Crime lead, Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd, said: “By providing critical services and much needed employment, businesses are at the heart of our community. Crime against business is not victimless; from financial loss to abuse and violence towards frontline staff, all crime can have a lasting negative impact on the local economy, the prosperity and perceptions of our cities, towns and villages.

“Police will continue to work collaboratively with local businesses, partners, agencies and the community to prevent harm, protect our citizens and detect offenders. In addition to following the available advice, I encourage everyone in the business community to report all incidents of crime directly to police, and in addition, to continue engaging with local police so we can work together to prevent these crimes.”

The Business Crime Action Plan can be found at: www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/business-crime or can be obtained in hard copy by contacting: DOJSMSupportingSafer.Communities@justice-ni.x.gsi.gov.uk

Notes to editors: 

1. The Business Crime Partnership membership currently includes representatives from the Department of Justice (DoJ), Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), Northern Ireland Policing Board (NIPB), Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC), Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), and Retailers Against Crime (NI) (RACNI).
2. All media enquiries should be directed to the Department of Justice Press Office on 028 9052 6444. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07623 974383 and your call will be returned.

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