ACS

Hundreds of small retailers across the country are set to receive grants to buy security devices such as alarms, security cameras and UV markers, Home Office Minister Alan Campbell announced on Tuesday.

Designed to help fight crime, the money from the £5 million Small Retailers Grants Fund is being allocated to around 1,000 small retailers across England. In addition 72 partnerships made up of groups of small businesses and local authorities will receive grants to help improve their neighbourhoods and reduce crime.

The fund is a key part of the Retail Crime Action Plan (RCAP) which was published in August 2009 and was drawn up in conjunction with the retail industry. It sets out a broad range of actions to tackle crimes against retailers and small businesses.

The grants are being used to:

• Purchase security equipment for individual retailers such as CCTV, infrared security cameras, security shutters and rollers, safes, alarms, anti-fraud equipment such as UV markers to detect counterfeit notes and anti-graffiti paint; or
• Fund partnership projects benefiting larger groups of small business. In Castleford, Wakefield 96 businesses will have a new Alert Box system installed. The system is described as an electronic "Neighbourhood Watch" allowing groups of retailers in an area to alert each other to any suspicious activity or crime by simply pressing a button.

Home Office Minister Alan Campbell said: "This fund was set up to provide real help to the small businesses that need it the most and I am delighted that more than 1,000 retailers will benefit from the increased security these grants will provide.
"It is just one part of the government's work to target the crimes that affect businesses, especially during an economic downturn. We will continue working closely with the industry and police to ensure action is being taken to keep crime down."

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “ACS was delighted to play a role in helping to promote and administer this scheme. From having studied a number of the applications for this grant funding as part of the board that was responsible for this, we know first-hand that this money will be going to provide practical help to retailers and the communities they serve.

“If there is one lesson that we have learned from this process, it is just how crucially important partnership working is to effective crime prevention. By working with local agencies and other retailers, local stores can make genuine headway in tackling retail crime.”

As well as the Small Retailers Grants Fund the Home Office also published an online risk assessment tool for businesses that was developed by crime prevention experts. Small business owners can complete the tool online to identify simple things they can do to improve the security of their store and who they can contact for help.

ACS is holding its next Crime Prevention Forum in Manchester on February 9, click here for details