Lawrence Jefferies of Merseyside Police (left) and Robin McGrath of Business Crime Direct

Merseyside Police and Business Crime Direct are adopting a new pro-active approach to crime prevention in South Liverpool as a result of initiatives from South Liverpool Business Leaders.

Four new Business Watch areas have been created which will benefit from a number of practical methods designed to reduce crime.

Companies are being contacted by either the police or Business Crime Direct to discuss their particular requirements. "This needs to be a two-way exchange," says Robin McGrath of Business Crime Direct. "We are keen to talk to companies but we are just as keen to hear what companies have to say to us."

Joining Robin in leading the implementation of the new South Liverpool Business Watch scheme is Lawrence Jefferies of Merseyside Police. Lawrence says: "Reporting of crime is important. We don't want businesses to believe that there's no point in reporting crime to the police - we need to know exactly what's going on and we will respond accordingly."

This needs to be a two-way exchange. We are keen to talk to companies but we are just as keen to hear what companies have to say to us. Robin McGrath

The new Business Watch areas are:

• Blackburne Street, plus the Marriott South, David Lloyd and Matchworks
• Speke Boulevard including Jaguar and Chiron
• Edwards Lane including Asda
• Sky/Estuary business parks plus New Mersey Retail Park

The Business Leaders Group is delighted with the positive response we have had from the police and Business Crime Direct. Crime is sadly an ongoing problem, whether we're talking about shoplifting, damage to property or theft. It's a problem which will only increase if it's ignored and now is a great opportunity to carry the fight a significant step forward.

Among the benefits offered by the Business Watch scheme will be:

• data sharing agreement
• access to the 'Ringmaster' system
• radio communications where feasible
• rapid response to reported crime
• regular meetings within each Business Watch area

Business Crime Direct is a Home Office initiative designed to combat business crime. It is run by Robin and his colleagues from the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce in Old Hall Street. South Liverpool Business Watch will be a partnership between Business Crime Direct, Merseyside Police, the Business Leaders Group and the business community.

More at www.liverpoolchamber.org.uk/services/bcd.html

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