Visiting Southend for launch of the Open for Business, Closed for Crime Campaign

Launch of 'Open for Business, Closed for Crime' campaign

On April 12th we saw the first steps of reopening for “non-essential” retail and hospitality businesses and we were there to support businesses reopening across Essex with the launch of our 'Open for Business, Closed for Crime' campaign.

It’s going to be busy for retail now so it’s a good time for us all to give a clear message to potential offenders that assaults on and abuse of public-facing staff will not be tolerated.

Through 'Open for Business, Closed for Crime', we are working with businesses and their staff, from management to the shop floor, encouraging them to report incidents to us. If you are a retail or business employee who is assaulted or abused by a customer whilst at work, you must report it to enable us to tackle unacceptable levels of violence towards staff who are just doing their job.

Week of action targeting Catalytic Converter theft Working together with partners and our colleagues from the Rural Engagement Team, we led a targeted week of action tackling the rising issues of Catalytic Converter theft across the country. This nationally co-ordinated week saw us visit 34 scrap metal dealer businesses to ensure that legislation was being complied with around the purchase of Catalytic Converters and scrap metal. The impact that Catalytic Converter theft has on many small businesses who rely on their vehicles for work is substantial and there are many products available to protect your vehicle.  Click here for our crime prevention advice »

Keeping your business safe and secure

Get in touch

• Online
• Email: business.crime.team@essex.police.uk
• Twitter @epbusinesscrime 

Essex Police Business Crime Team

Acting Inspector Terry Jacobs, acting Sergeant Mike Lee, PC Alex Plakhtienko and analyst Katie Roberts, together with three fraud prevention co-ordinators, make up our Business Crime Team.

The team specialise in supporting businesses, working to build relationships with independent shops and retail chains, explaining how they can report crime to us and, just as importantly, what will happen when they do. 

They help to identify risks in the workplace, providing crime prevention advice and strengthening links with businesses and partners, including local community safety partnerships, Essex Chambers of Commerce and the Essex Federation of Small Businesses. The fraud prevention co-ordinators offer information, advice and assistance about business frauds and scams.

Working with the National Business Crime Centre, the team share nationally-identified crime trends and best practice with our business community. And they have also developed a comprehensive guide to business crime prevention which identifies steps business-owners can take to protect themselves and their properties. 

Further release of lockdown roadmap

More lockdown measures were lifted yesterday. For businesses this means:

• Indoor hospitality can reopen inside
• Indoor and outdoor entertainment can reopen
• Hotels and accommodation can reopen

PC Mike Lee, of the Business Crime Team, talks with McColl's regional risk manager for the South East at the Witham store in Newland Street