Lambeth Business Against Crime

Lambeth Business Crime Group
Action Against Business Crime

L-BAC
LAMBETH BUSINESS
AGAINST CRIME

Lambeth Business Against Crime

Think safe. Be safe. Business Safe.

Business Crime in Lambeth

Why is it important to manage business crime better in Lambeth?

Nationally it is a massive problem.

· It is estimated that business crime costs £20 billion a year
· Crime against businesses cost on average more than crime against individuals
· The direct and indirect costs of retail crime are said to cost £2.5 billon, which is probably a conservative estimate
· Around 25% of all recorded crime takes place in and around town centres

Business depends on the community and the community depends on business. Not managed well, crime will threaten the trading environment, will impact on profitability, shops may close with less choice for customers and businesses and their customers will go elsewhere. That’s bad for investment and employment and will almost certainly result in a downward cycle of degeneration, and an increase in crime and the fear of crime.

The effects of business crime also include the human costs of physical and verbal abuse against staff that impacts on morale and confidence that can lead to increased absenteeism and difficulties recruiting. Crime diverts management time from his or her key responsibilities and is stressful for everyone.

In summary, crime and the fear of crime have such a negative effect on the quality and use of our town centres. This is why Lambeth Business Crime Group and Action Against Business Crime, together with the police and other agencies are taking action across the borough to ensure businesses remain competitive, safe and secure.

Lambeth Business Against Crime
(L-BAC)

What is L-BAC?

L-BAC is a dedicated, formal and pro-active partnership between businesses, the police, Lambeth Council, CCTV, other crime deduction schemes and other agencies and organisations.

· L-BAC has a Business Crime Reduction manager supported by Lambeth Business Crime Group (L-BCG) and Action Against Business Crime (AABC) and a board of management.
· The police provide photographs of the most prolific, current and active individuals involved in crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour that affects business
· Members submit incident reports to the Crime Reduction Manager for entry onto the Business Information Crime System (BICS) database to enable information to be collated, shared and disseminated for members
· The database is a powerful additional tool providing information previously unavailable
· The partnership operates within strict protocols agreed by the Home Office, Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the Office of the Information Commissioner and is based on the successful national model developed by Action Against Business Crime (AABC) and already adopted in half of London’s boroughs
· The partnership operates and manages an Exclusion Notice scheme barring persistent offenders and troublemakers from all members premises for 12 months
· The key to the scheme’s success is for business to work smarter by working together as partners more effectively


Information Sharing

The success of this scheme focuses on improving communication between businesses, the police, street management and other key organisations.

· The Crime Reduction Manager’s computerised package, called the Business Information Crime System (BICS) is used to identify and target those persistent offenders and troublemakers who commit the majority of crime. 17% of criminals commit 80% of all recorded crime
· BICS holds details of incidents, sightings and other intelligence and compliments existing police systems, which tend to focus on arrests and convictions
· The Crime Reduction Manager collects, analyses and disseminates information about the most active offenders. Police photographs help members to identify these individuals and disrupt their activity
· The information collated helps drive the Exclusion Notice scheme
· A dual frequency (day-time and night-time) Radiolink is available for members using effective technology that works

Safer Shopping Award

The Safer Shopping Award is an accreditation scheme available to local business crime reduction partnerships and recognises good practice through a partnership approach. Successful partnerships must meet national operational standards.

Many business crime reduction partnerships have already achieved the Safer Shopping Award accreditation and we are determined to bring this award to Lambeth. Gaining the award will bring positive publicity to the borough and reassure all those who live, work and socialise in Lambeth.

How much does it cost to join?

L-BAC is non-profit making. Lambeth Crime Prevention Panel is a registered charity. There will be a membership fee but the costs will be kept to a minimum and will represent outstanding value and cost effectiveness compared with the benefits for business. Membership fees are set each year by business members of the scheme. Full details are available from the Crime Reduction Manager or the secretary of Lambeth Business Crime Group.

Supporters

The scheme is supported by Lambeth Drug and Alcohol Action Team / Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (DAAT/CDRP), Lambeth Council, Lambeth Borough Police, the Home Office, Lambeth Crime Prevention Panel, Action Against Business Crime (AABC), the Home Office and other agencies.

Summary of Benefits

The aim of the Partnership is to reduce business crime in the Borough and make the trading environment safer for customers, visitors, staff and residents.

L-BAC will:
· Reduce crime in and around the business environment
· Be based on tried and tested methods
· Be cost effective
· Give business the ability to influence local crime reduction policy
· Be an integral part of Lambeth’s crime reduction strategy

L-BAC will:
· Collate, share and disseminate information more effectively using IT
· Provide photographs of persistent offenders and the methods they use
· Produce newsletters and updates
· Reduce and prevent criminality and anti-social behaviour
· Assist in the apprehension and prosecution of offenders
· Manage an enhanced radio link scheme
· Manage the Exclusion Notice scheme for members
· Decrease the fear of crime
· Offer training and best proactive advice
· Encourage growth and inward investment in the borough

JOINING THE SCHEME

Please contact the Business Crime Reduction Manager for an information pack or any further information as follows:
Business Crime Reduction Manager
Lambeth Against Business Crime
c/o The Beat
411, Coldharbour Lane
London, SW9 8LQ

Telephone: 07818083388
E-mail: lbac@lambethcrimeprevention.com