AABC and ATCM join forces to create national business crime partnership

Action Against Business Crime (AABC) and the Association of Town Centre Management (ATCM) have joined forces to create a new, independent national partnership to reduce business crime in towns and cities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Making the announcement last week, the AABC said the new organisation to represent business crime reduction partnerships (BCRPs), aims to embrace all interest groups such as retailers, the licensed industry, town centre managers, police and all those engaged in working for community safety.

One of the key responsibilities for the organisation is to increase the number and quality of the work of BCRPs, in order to ensure that they are accredited, operate lawfully and are able to work closely with local police and other agencies.

The board will have representatives from AABC, ATCM, BCRPs, businesses and other key players.

The new national body has the support of Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and has been welcomed by the Home Office.

“Business Crime Reduction Partnerships are an important way of bring local businesses together with their local police service and other community safety partners to facilitate the sharing of crime data and information and crime prevention advice with a view to reducing crimes against businesses,” A Home Office spokesperson said.
Further details about the new organisation will be announced by AABC chairman Lord Dear at the AABC conference on Thursday, 29th April, 2010.