Cambridgeshire Constabulary is committed to working with business across the county to reduce business related crime through effective partnership working. This section contains valuable information for businesses, not only to prevent and reduce crimes that affect you, but also links to national and local sites providing advice and information on partnership initiatives.

Some of the most effective organisations to counter business crime are those set up and managed by business themselves in partnership with the police and others. Two good local examples are HBAC and CAMBAC which are independent, non-profit making organisations set up to help businesses reduce the cost of crime, fraud, and anti social behaviour and to make it difficult for thieves to carry on offending. Both are run by businesses for businesses.

Action Against Business Crime

If you would like to set up a business against crime scheme in your area, please contact Action Against Business Crime. AABC is the national organisation for Business Crime Reduction Partnerships (BCRPs). AABC, in partnership with the British Retail Consortium, expands the work and impact of BCRPs to provide a national focus to reduce crime against business across the country.

Huntingdonshire Business Against Crime

Huntingdonshire Business Against Crime (HBAC) was set up in March 2004 by Huntingdon Town Centre Partnership to address crime related incidents in Huntingdon. This was in direct response to requests from businesses in Huntingdon.

Such was the success of the scheme, that 2005 saw the initiative renamed from Huntingdon to Huntingdonshire Business Against Crime, expanding its geographical reach to include St Ives and St Neots.

Working closely in partnership with Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Huntingdonshire Community Safety Partnership, CCTV at Huntingdonshire District Council and Town Centre Managers, the towns are safer places to live, work and shop. HBAC has recently expanded to include business parks.

Cambridge Business Against Crime (CAMBAC)

Cambridge Business Against Crime was set up in August 2007 by City Centre Management in direct response to requests from businesses in the city centre. Like HBAC it works in partnership with the Police, Cambridge Community Safety partnership, City Centre Management, City Rangers, CCTV and Cambridge City Council. It now has over 200 active members.

Forecourt Watch

Cambridgeshire Constabulary continues to work with the British Oil Security Syndicate (BOSS) and petrol retailers to target fuel theft and 'making off without payment', also known as bilking. A pictorial guide to assist forecourt staff to reduce the amount of bilkings has been distributed to members across the county. In addition, a pack was issued to participating garages, with the support of BOSS, which includes Forecourt Watch materials as well as providing crime prevention information and the reporting and recording of forecourt crime. Cambridgeshire Constabulary is committed to further developing regular liaison between the police and BOSS area managers.

Peterborough Business Against Crime Scheme (PBAC)

Police in Peterborough operate a city centre crime prevention scheme for retailers. Membership of the scheme is free, and members receive photographs of known offenders to look out for to help cut down on crimes such as shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. Members are also able to hire radios to enable them to communicate effectively with each other, the City Council’s CCTV unit and the police. Police in the city also run a very successful Business Alert email scheme, which provides subscribers with information about suspect and criminal activity. Over 1,000 businesses in the city centre and other shopping centres, business and industrial parks across the area have so far signed up to the scheme.

For more information, contact Cambridgeshire Police’s Peterborough Community Safety Unit on 101.