National Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) Awareness Week

This week marks the first ever National Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) Awareness Week, which takes place from 17th to 23rd March 2025.

Arun District Council has announced an important development for businesses with the launch of the Arun Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP).

The BCRP provides reporting tools and in-person support to reduce the gap between the number of incidents businesses say are taking place in their premises and the town centres, and reports sent to the police in a way they can follow up on or use to evidence the need for more resources. 

While crime reduction services have been available to businesses in Littlehampton and Bognor Regis town centres for several years – funded and delivered by the Business Improvement District in Bognor Regis and funded by Arun District Council and operated by volunteers in Littlehampton - this is the first time the initiative has been formally staffed or covered both areas. Membership of the scheme is provided at no additional cost to businesses.      

Responding to the announcement, Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: “Business and retail crime must be taken seriously and having a dedicated partnership within the district will help to increase reporting, improve public confidence and provide retailers with much needed reassurance that they will be supported.

“We have already witnessed the success of the DISC reporting platform across Sussex, with vastly improved information-sharing capabilities and closer relationships with law enforcement, which the Arun BCRP will quickly benefit from. I look forward to hearing about the positive outcomes once the Arun BCRP is up and running and to welcoming the new BCRP manager to a future Safer Sussex Business Partnership meeting in my office.”

READ MORE ABOUT THE BCRP on the Arun District Council Website: Latest news | Arun District Council