The PCC, West Midlands Police and businesses have joined forces in a new partnership aimed at cutting crime and boosting the economy.
The newly launched West Midlands Business Crime Partnership (WMBCP) will create a united approach where the business community and police can share information and advice to prevent crime and catch offenders.
The board is made up of a range of police and business representatives which includes the Federation of Small Business, Association of Convenience Stores, Chamber of Commerce and Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson.
The inaugural meeting of the WMBCP was held at the police force’s headquarters, Lloyd House, yesterday (Tuesday 11 July); and looked at the overall issues of business crime, policing response, and discussion around newer threats like cyber hackers.
Partnership co-chair Jason Wouhra, of East End Foods business, said: “I am proud to be co-chairing the West Midlands Business Crime Partnership.
“This new body will give businesses a voice at the heart of West Midlands Police to ensure that issues can be raised and that business crime remains a high priority.
“We aim to help prevent crimes by sharing best practice and working with businesses to help them with sensible steps to protect themselves.”
Superintendent Keith Fraser, business crime lead for the force, added: “This partnership will develop even stronger links between the force and businesses within our communities as we strive to cut crime and focus on what impacts upon them and the wider community.
“We can share information about crimes from businesses which can then be shared with others to stop repeat offences; but also help us to catch those responsible.
“The partnerships also means we can make best use of each other’s expertise and give advice on measures to take to prevent becoming a victim of business crime.
“Businesses and the economic well-being of an area are an integral part of community cohesion, it is only right that we work together to make the West Midlands a place where people want to trade.”
“There is a lot more but businesses can do and want to do to contribute to the safety of this area, this group, provides an excellent opportunity to achieve this. The WMBCP will help us to build on some of the more local partnerships we already have in parts of the force area.”
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson has also given his full support as part of the partnership, and his strategic board member Waheed Saleem is co-chair.
Waheed said: “Business crime affects us all and can have a significant impact on the economic well-being of the region, therefore it is important that businesses can work with the police to prevent and tackle business crime together, to protect jobs and encourage investment in the region
“The WMBCP will bring together the strategic representative organisations in the West Midlands, to give business a voice to ensure the force is responsive to their needs and to set the strategic direction in the fight against business crime.”
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