This week, we received an important update from PC Ewan Keen regarding the launch of the Mole Valley Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP), which took place on Thursday, 19th September.
PC Ewan Keen explained, “The Mole Valley Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) launched on Thursday the 19th of September with the inaugural meeting taking place. The BCRP is a forum comprised of two Specialist Neighbourhood Officers from Surrey Police along with a number of retailers from across the Mole Valley area. The aim of the BCRP is to have representation from all major settlements within Mole Valley.”
The BCRP is intended to be a platform for information sharing between Surrey Police and retailers. Its goal is to ensure that all parties are aware of the chronic issues occurring on our high streets. PC Keen noted that the BCRP meets on a bi-monthly basis and that crime prevention information and training opportunities are planned to be provided free of charge by Surrey Police.
Looking forward, PC Keen said, “Whilst the BCRP is within its infancy, we aim for it to become a permanent organisation which retailers are proud to be a part of. The BCRP will explore the use of technology such as DISC (Crime recording platform) to keep our high streets safe. Further to this, the BCRP are already in discussions around an exclusion scheme that will give retailers collective power to ban our most prolific individuals from causing issues within our high streets.”
For businesses wishing to get involved, PC Keen mentioned that the BCRP already has eight members representing Dorking, Leatherhead, and Ashtead. However, more retailers from surrounding villages are encouraged to join. If you’re interested, you can email Ewan.Keen@surrey.police.uk with the subject heading “BCRP” to receive more information.
Additionally, Surrey Police has ordered crime-reporting QR codes for stores, allowing staff to report incidents directly to the Surrey Police website. To receive these QR codes, contact Ewan.Keen@surrey.police.uk with the subject heading “QR Codes.”
It remains crucial for businesses to keep reporting any anti-social behaviour or shoplifting. Every day, a policing unit checks the reports made on the Suspicious Activity Portal. PC Keen emphasised that, “Every time you report a crime, it doesn’t just go into a black hole. Action is being taken, they can’t always talk about what they are doing, but action is being taken.”
To aid businesses further, PC Keen recommends saving till receipts when theft occurs as it helps with the evidentiary chain. Additionally, CCTV and photographic evidence are essential and should be preserved when possible. The BCRP team is also preparing a “cheat sheet/tool kit” for capturing accurate descriptions of incidents, which will be shared with retailers soon.