Earlier this year, Hull Cleaning and Supplies Ltd had over £40,000 of property stolen in one night. Other businesses on the Chamberlain Business Park were struggling to continue trading due to regular thefts and criminal damage. The business park had become a target for criminals. The Business Crime Reduction Centre (BCRC), a Sheffield-based crime prevention initiative, intervened.
Gary McMaster, owner of Hull Cleaning and Supplies Ltd, said: “Saturday, January 25, 2014 was a very tough day for us. In previous months we had suffered a string of thefts but this time we were cleaned out. We had to let staff go as we could not afford their wages and our restocking expenses.”
For many businesses, on the business park, crime and vandalism was the final straw and they began to shut down or relocate. The businesses needed their security strengthening. BCRC sent Business Adviser and Humberside Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Chris Wright to visit the site and provide them with a free crime prevention assessment.
Mr McMaster said “PCSO Chris Wright got involved and spent many hours visiting each business, making recommendations on security to individual businesses and on the business park as a whole. Chris visits regularly and the impact he has made is unbelievable. We now monitor and limit access to the park and we have implemented locked gates and radio communication between all businesses. There has not been any criminal activity since January and this is largely due to the work and advice that Chris and BCRC have given us.”
After almost admitting defeat, Hull Cleaning and Supplies Ltd, with the active support of BCRC, have turned their fortunes around. Gary McMaster said: “This month we have employed more staff to cope with our business’ growth. We are all eternally grateful for the assistance BCRC has given us.”
About the Business Crime Reduction Centre
BCRC supports small and medium sized business in Yorkshire and the Humber with free and impartial crime prevention support and advice. Call 0114 275 1283 or email [email protected].
The Business Crime Reduction Centre is delivered with Yorkshire-based charity, People United Against Crime and South Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Humberside Police forces. BCRC is part financed by the European Union through the Yorkshire and Humber European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007-2013.
Visit: www.bcrc-uk.org.
