Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards visited shops and businesses in Bishop’s Stortford this week as part of Safer Business Action (SaBA) Week.

Mr Ash-Edwards joined officers in the town centre on Monday 14 October in support of the initiative which aims to deliver targeted police activity to tackle business crime in local communities.

High-visibility patrols were conducted in the area including a meeting with Jackson Square security staff to discuss how shoplifting is being tackled.

Additionally an operation led by the proactive police Op Scorpion Team conducted a plain-clothes patrol. That was aimed at disrupting criminality linked to retail venues including shoplifting, theft from person and drug-related offences.

Following the visit Jonathan Ash-Edwards, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire said:

“It is important to get the message out there that the police in Hertfordshire are taking a robust action against those who are committing retail theft and targeting shoppers who are our in the town centre.

“Our economy needs thriving shopping centres and people coming into our towns to use the facilities. This is being encouraged thanks to the preventative work of local officers, who are working alongside retailers and Business Improvement Districts.”

The National Business Crime Centre’s (NBCC) Safer Business Action Week is being held this week. It involves Business Reductions Partnerships (BCRPs), Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and the private security industry working with local police forces to deliver a focussed operation with joint patrols, the targeted intervention of offenders and a range of crime prevention activity including raising awareness of the local issues with the general public.

The Commissioner’s office is currently running a survey open to all businesses in Hertfordshire to gather their views on future policing and crime prevention priorities.

The responses will be used to influence Mr Ash-Edward forthcoming Police and Crime Plan which sets out the strategic priorities for Hertfordshire Constabulary on behalf of the public.

The survey can be accessed at hertscommissioner.org/surveys/and is open until October 27^th 2024.