Over 60 Broadland businesses have pledged to join forces and help fight crime in the town following a meeting of the
Broadland Business Breakfast Forum, following more than 1,650 burglaries in the area within the last year alone.
With an average of two businesses hit every day, Paul Holley Smith of Norfolk Constabulary told members that prevention of crime is the most important part of crime reduction and that if businesses work together, look out for each other and implement small preventative measures, crime can be drastically reduced. Individual steps suggested included simple, cost-effective solutions such as removing valuables from view, prominently displaying ‘private property’ signs and visible surveillance.
Whilst Norfolk has the lowest crime rate in the country, 1,807 thefts were reported in the area in the past year of which 635 were business related. Norfolk Constabulary used the forum to remind businesses that they have a responsibility to provide their staff with a safe and secure working environment.
Members were also updated on how they can reduce their costs and their carbon footprints. Dr Simon Gerrard from Low Carbon Innovation, told members that investing in reducing their carbon footprint now will bring huge dividends in the coming years, and increase their competitiveness in the marketplace.
For more information on the Broadland Business Breakfast Forum, please contact Sue Morter or Jodie McGill on 01603 702374.
