Force supports week of action to help protect local businesses

Gwent Police is supporting a National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) campaign to protect businesses from crime.

As part of a national initiative to support and protect businesses across the country, Gwent Police's We Don't Buy Crime team is hosting several engagement events across the force area this week - with the aim of 'engaging with local businesses, retailers and the community to raise awareness of business crime in the area.'

The team, who target acquisitive crimes like burglary, theft and robbery, support businesses throughout the year by sharing crime prevention and security advice, providing SmartWater property marking kits to those affected by crime and by working with second hand retailers to prevent the purchase of stolen goods.

During NBCC's Business Crime Week (17 - 21 October), Gwent's week of action will see officers carry out targeted patrols across areas previously been affected by acquisitive crime, and work with businesses and local partners to increase awareness of the measures that can be taken to prevent crime and deter thieves.

Sergeant Kate Llewellyn said: "Throughout the week of action, we'll be holding various crime prevention activities across Gwent to speak to businesses about the things they can do to increase security, protect their assets and deter opportunistic thieves.

"We'll be speaking to retailers on high streets and businesses on industrial estates about a variety of actions that can be taken to improve security and prevent crimes like burglary – crimes that can have a devastating impact on businesses and the wider community.

"As a force, we're committed to tackling those who profit from crime and will continue to work with our communities, businesses and partner agencies to identify offenders and bring them to justice."

The team will be on hand to talk to businesspeople on the following dates this week:

• Tuesday 18 October –Blackwood town centre
• Wednesday 19 October – Newport city centre
• Thursday 20 October – Bargoed town centre
• Friday 21 October – engagement day/ Hi visibility patrols in Cwmbran

The force's We Don't Buy Crime (@GP_WDBC) Twitter account will share updates around the activity taking place throughout the week.

For more information on how Gwent Police is tackling acquisitive crime in Gwent, visit: https://www.gwent.police.uk/police-forces/gwent-police/areas/campaigns/campaigns/2021/we-dont-buy-crime/.