New Scheme Launched To Tackle Retail Crime In Lewes

Wednesday, 4 December 2024 11:40

By Dominic Kureen @WriteOnDom

A newly formed Eastbourne & Lewes Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP), launched to support local businesses across the Lewes district, went live this Monday (2 December).

Lewes Community Safety Partnership has awarded funding to help expand a BCRP from Eastbourne into the Lewes district to give businesses a reporting and intelligence platform to help combat shop thefts and anti-social behaviour impacting on businesses in a co-ordinated manner.

The funding will cover costs for a three-year period giving businesses in the area the opportunity to join the scheme for free.

The newly formed Eastbourne & Lewes BCRP which will be run by Special Constable Adam Godden, who has 11 years’ experience of running the partnership in Eastbourne, will work in partnership with the local Neighbourhood Policing Teams to help target the most persistent and problematic business crime offenders to help protect businesses across the district.

It will also support existing Pubwatch schemes in the area working with Sussex Police's Licensing Team to offer more enhanced support to make venues a safe place for customers to be and staff to work.

Adam Godden, Specialist Advisor for Business Crime, said:

“I am pleased we have been able to expand into Lewes district allowing us to use existing working relationships with larger corporate businesses that we have established in Eastbourne.

"But also then to start working with the many independent businesses across the Lewes district to support them in tackling business crime which will be a benefit to the wider communities by effectively targeting repeat offenders, and working with police partners to gain orders such as Criminal Behaviours Orders to curb their offending.”

Inspector John Adams, Lewes Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector, added:

“Tackling shoplifting and anti-social behaviour are two of my priorities on Lewes district.

"Both myself and my team are committed in supporting all retail businesses in reducing shoplifting and targeting offenders.

"Shoplifting and the associated anti-social behaviour impacts on each and every one of us and I am keen for all businesses to sign up to the DISC platform.

"This is an opportunity to share information quickly and safely between businesses to tackle both business crime and crime often associated to the night time economy.”

If you are a business within the Lewes district and wish to be part of this scheme, please contact adam.godden@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk for further information.