Business Watch

Business watch is a free locally tailored scheme aiming to reduce the amount of business-related crime in your area.

It is usually based in a defined location to encourage collaboration between all businesses rather than based around a particular business type.

Business watch is suitable for all business types: industrial, commercial, office and retail, from small businesses to branches of multinational companies. For larger schemes, other local partners such as trade associations, landowners and local authorities are also welcome.

We understand the impact that crime can have on a business including:

• Financial costs to replace assets or stock and to repair damage.
• Wasted time dealing with the aftermath of the crime.
• Unnecessary stress caused to managers and staff.
• Potential rise in insurance premiums.
• It can deter customers and/or trade partners.

Business watch brings together local businesses in a common cause to help prevent and detect crime. In its basic form, a business watch scheme will share information between members of the group and ensure that any suspicious activity or crime is shared between members and also reported to the police.

• Regular updates about crime in your area from the Police so that you can be forewarned about potential crime trends and adjust your security measures if required.
• Frequent crime prevention advice including topical advice regarding scams and frauds and other business-related information from the Essex Police Business Crime Team.
• Improved communication and cooperation between all companies in the area, sharing information regarding suspicious activity and other non-crime matters that could affect members' businesses e.g. access disruption.
• Area signage and business stickers to help deter unlawful activity. 

Business watch schemes can exist simply as a shared contact list or depending on the needs and participation of its members, they can develop into a more organised scheme such as a Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) aiming to address common issues faced by members.

Enhanced Business Watch schemes could lead to additional benefits such as:

• Improved safety and security by reviewing current security measures on member’s sites and their immediate surroundings.
• Partnership working with police and local authorities to target local problems such as anti-social behaviour and criminal damage.
• Potential partnership working with other members e.g. sharing common training courses etc.
• Strategic planning for the area as part of a business crime reduction partnership.

For business watch to flourish it requires the interest of a number of organisations within a clearly defined area. An Essex Watch Liaison Officer will work to ascertain whether there is sufficient interest, and the most appropriate type of scheme suitable for your area. A basic scheme can always develop at a later stage if required.

Essex Watch Liaison Officers work closely with our Business Crime Team which supports businesses regarding ongoing crime and policing issues. If you would like any advice or guidance around issues your business is experiencing please get in touch with them.

Business watch schemes are part of the current Crime Against Business Strategy endorsed by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC), Essex Chambers of Commerce and Essex Police.

If you'd like more information about our business watch scheme, or to register your interest, please contact us.