City-wide operation to target business crime

A major co-ordinated operation will show how police within the Square Mile are keeping businesses and workers safe from crime.

The City of London Police is organising a ‘Safer Business Action (SaBA) Day’ on Thursday 14 March, involving a range of operational and engagement activities. The day will aim to detect criminal activities and educate those living, visiting and working in the City about how to help prevent crime.

Newly launched this month to coincide with SaBA Day is a crime prevention initiative committed to tackling business crime in the night-time economy.
SaBA Night will follow the same principles as SaBA Days, with police, private security and other partners joining together to tackle nighttime economy crime in their communities.

City of London Police’s licensing team will carry out crime prevention activity with partners across the Square Mile.

This will include focussed operations, patrols to licensed premises to engage with the public and door staff and tackling issues associated with the night-time economy, such as alcohol-fuelled violence and crime and anti-social behaviour.

By extending the SaBA campaign to include night time operations, police and partners can build on the success of pervious SaBA events and demonstrate that they are listening to their local businesses and communities.

City of London Police Assistant Commissioner Paul Betts said:

“The City of London is the world’s premier financial and business centre and we want to ensure everyone working in, living in or visiting the City is safe and feels safe. Our business community is diverse and extends over several hundred types of businesses, ranging from local supermarkets and high street retailers, to legal firms and banks.

“This operation engages with businesses, giving them vital tools to help prevent crime and keep their employees safe. Our targeted activity will aim to lower business-related crime and strengthen our ties with our partners and our community.”

Safer Business Action (SaBA) Day is supported by the National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) and City of London Police Authority Board (CoLPAB). It is a joint approach by police, business, private security, the Business Crime Reduction Partnerships (BCRPs) and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), working in partnership to focus resources into a designated location to create a significant impact in reducing crime.

James Thomson, Chair of the City of London Police Authority Board, said:

“The Square Mile’s thriving nighttime economy is a significant driver of our position as a leading global financial centre and visitor destination.

“We want people to enjoy what the City has to offer while being and feeling safe – and our businesses supported to flourish.

“That’s why we fully support the City of London Police’s Safer Business Action Day initiatives helping to ensure that the City remains the safest business district in the world.

“Nobody should be made to feel unsafe, and the City of London Police has been very proactive and innovative in their safety initiatives to keep crime in the Square Mile low.”