North East News
A £5 million fund for small retailers to buy security devices such as alarms, UV markers and radios are part of a new Retail Crime Action Plan unveiled by Home Office Minister Alan Campbell.
The Retail Crime Action Plan (RCAP), which has been drawn up in partnership with the retail industry, details a broad range of actions to tackle crimes against retailers and small businesses.
They include:
* A £5 million Small Retailer Grants Fund. It will provide grants of up to £3,000 to small businesses in 50 priority areas, to buy security devices such as alarms, UV markers to detect counterfeit notes, security grills or dye packs to mark goods. Partnerships of small retailers can bid for grants of up to £50,000 to help improve a neighbourhood and reduce the risk of crime;
* a risk assessment tool, developed by crime prevention experts, which businesses can complete online to identify simple measures they can take to reduce the risk of crime
* a competition to find new ways of “designing out” crime opportunities in small businesses, which will be launched in September 2009.
Campbell said: “Small businesses play a vital role in our communities and I am determined to ensure that small businesses are not taken advantage of during these hard economic times, by providing real support where it is most needed. The Government is committed to working with industry and police to tackle the crimes that affect them such as shoplifting, anti-social behaviour and robbery, particularly during this economic downturn, where certain crimes will face upward pressure.”
Retailers will be able to bid for grants through their local Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP). Groups of businesses in a certain area, such as a parade of shops, can also team up to bid for bigger grants of up to £50,000. These can be used to improve a neighbourhood with landscaping or additional lighting.
John Wright, National Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Our research shows crimes against businesses cost small firms around £13,500 each year on average and the disruption and damage they cause must be taken seriously.
“This new £5m fund will provide vital support for small businesses to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour; to improve security and invest in high streets and shopping districts. We encourage all small businesses that are eligible to take up this support so that they can continue to grow and thrive.”
