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Our business crime officers joined up with officers from the Brentwood Town Centre Team on Friday 15 March to focus on safer business action, talking to retailers and shoppers about what matters to them.
Together with the new Brentwood Connected Business Improvement District (BID) team, they spoke to more than 30 businesses in Brentwood High Street and in Hutton Road, Shenfield, to identify issues affecting them and provide crime prevention advice.
Personal and online security advice was provided to shoppers by a member of Brentwood Council’s community safety team and our town centre team officers were out on patrol, too.
Business crime officer PC Glen Foote says Brentwood and Shenfield are busy shopping areas, particularly on weekday afternoons and on market days.
“Any crime or incident of anti-social behaviour affects those involved personally so we seek to reassure retailers, customers and residents of the actions they can take to keep themselves, their businesses and their staff safe and secure.
“We asked businesses what their issues and concerns are and will now be working with the Brentwood Connected BID team to problem-solve and make improvements in both Brentwood and Shenfield’s shopping areas.
“We want to make them, together with Ingatestone High Street, feel safe for visitors, shoppers and retail staff.
“We don’t tolerate shop theft or anti-social behaviour but we need your help to deal with it. We highlight our Open For Business, Closed For Crime campaign to retailers, which highlights the importance of reporting incidents to us.
“And we urge people with information about any criminal activity or anti-social behaviour to do the same.
“This helps us to identify where the problems are and then we can work with the businesses themselves, the council and Brentwood Connected to tackle them.”
Business crime officer PC Glen Foote
The Brentwood Connected BID is the first in the country to incorporate three high streets – with more than 500 businesses across multiple sectors - in one Business Improvement District.
“Brentwood Connected is a unique Business Improvement District (BID) funded by town centre businesses to improve the experience of residents, visitors, employees and businesses in Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone.
“We are pleased to work in collaboration with police officers in the Brentwood Town Centre Team and Business Crime Team to engage with businesses across Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone to ensure our town centres are well-managed, safe and friendly.
“It’s invaluable for business owners to be able to speak directly with police officers and raise any concerns, find out correct ways of reporting and prevent crime. Friday was a great example of partnership working.”
Brentwood Connected BID manager Sarah Walmsley
While out on patrol, the Brentwood Town Centre Team also stopped three vehicles for speeding and anti-social driving.
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