Shop Safe introduced in Wickford

On the 1st of February the Business Crime team, in partnership with the local Community Policing Team, local businesses and Shop Safe, introduced a new radio system in Wickford. The aim of this scheme is to ensure better communication with all partners and improve response to theft, anti-social behaviour and any other locational issues. The radios offer the very best digital technology to provide businesses with better voice clarity along with key features such as panic alarm and GPS. They will be able to quickly share information about shoplifters or anyone causing antisocial behaviour at the press of a button. This scheme would allow Basildon Council’s CCTV control room to be alerted about crimes to stop repeat offences and help catch those responsible. This scheme has already been a big success in Grays, when it was launched in October 2021. It is a great example of how partnership working can really help to tackle crime. We are looking forward to seeing the Shop Safe system grow in this area and will be reviewing its effect in the coming months.

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Visit to Tevva PS Denning and PC Foote made a site visit to Tevva Motors based at the London Distribution centre. Tevva Motors is an electric truck manufacturer harnessing battery and hydrogen fuel cell power to build a range of vehicles, enabling urban logistics operators to cut emissions. Michelle Parsons, the facility manager discussed the continual growth of the company and measures to consider, such as site safety and security, to further reinforce the impressive steps already taken. Michelle expressed a real appetite to work with the community and our partners moving forward. The sustainable approach of the business and the ambition of the team working toward future technologies was exciting, educational and inspiring. We are grateful for the opportunity to meet and look forward to working together in the future.

Criminal Behaviour Orders

The Business Crime Team are continuing to successfully hand out Community Behaviour Orders to prolific business crime offenders.

PC Alex Plakhtienko, from the Business Crime Team, said:

“Shoplifting and theft can have a devastating impact on shops and businesses, and their employees, as they try to make a living.

“We continue to protect businesses by charging shoplifters and bringing them to justice, followed by Criminal Behaviour Orders to keep that person away from their livelihood.

“Through our Open for Business, Closed for Crime campaign, we are working with businesses, encouraging them to report incidents to us.”

We are now concentrating on providing CBO training for our Town and Community Policing Teams. Over the past three months we have carried out training at Braintree, Basildon and Castlepoint. We will be continuing this strategy over the coming months with training across our other Community Policing Teams.

The Business Crime Team have also been continuing to make our own applications, having secured three more positive outcomes and are awaiting court dates for six other applications. 

When and how to contact the Police

We understand that businesses are extremely busy and not always clear on the most appropriate method to contact the police. If you would like to report business related crime or antisocial behaviour, which is not an emergency you can use our online digital 101 service at www.essex.police.uk We also have a live chat facility at the bottom of our website or if you prefer to speak to someone you can call 101.

Alternatively if an incident is happening right now, and it feels like the situation could get heated or violent very soon or someone is in immediate danger? Please call 999. If you're deaf or hard of hearing, you can use our textphone service 18000 or text us on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergency SMS service.

If you have ongoing business crime concerns you can contact the Business Crime Team at business.crime.team@essex.police.uk