Business Crime
Business Crime Reduction Advisers
In August 2003 Hazel Blears, Home Office Minister with responsibility for Crime Reduction, set out a programme of work to tackle Business Crime.
The term business related crime not only means combating crimes against business but also encompasses the vital role that business can play in reducing the opportunities for crime in the wider community.
As part of the strategy, Developing Crime Reduction Advice and Support Services for Businesses, the Home Office has appointed a network of Business Crime Reduction Advisers (BCRAs) in each of the 10 regional Government Offices. Their role is to provide the essential link between neighbouring business and local Crime Reduction Agencies. Part of their responsibility focuses on the development and implementation of a regional strategy to deal with local Business Crime problems.
BCRAs will be employed through the Government Offices, working closely with their Regional Director to offer help and support to businesses in support of national crime reduction priorities. Based locally this will enable a better understanding of the crime problems and issues affecting local businesses within their region and ensure that crime reduction initiatives focus on particular local requirements.
The first task of each BCRA was to carry out a mapping exercise of all existing activities around business related crime. This exercise provided useful information on business involvement in crime reduction activity on a regional basis and helped BCRAs work out where the gaps were and where focus was needed for future work. This mapping exercise enabled BCRAs to formulate a regional picture. Subsequently, in June 2004, the BCRAs submitted a 3-year strategy focussing on reducing crimes against the business sector and improving awareness on business crime.
All 10 strategies were analysed and pulled together to develop a national picture. Currently, BCRAs are in the process of finalising their Action Plans for 2005/06.
For further information on the BCRAs or the governments national stance on business crime policy, please contact Zenam Khan from the Business Crime Team, or you can e-mail Zenam.Khan@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Alternatively, should you require local information on business crime work within your region, please feel free to contact your regional BCRA representative, listed below.
Contact Details for the BCRAs
|
Name |
Region |
|
|
Anna Poole |
GO East Midlands |
apoole.goem@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk |
|
Elaine Howard |
GO North West |
|
|
Bob Bevan |
GO Wales |
|
|
Kevin Jones |
GO East of England |
|
|
Dave Suszek |
GO West Midlands |
dsuszek.GOWM@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk |
|
Nigel Custance |
GO Yorkshire & The Humber |
|
|
Gwen Taylor |
GO South West |
gtaylor.gosw@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk |
|
Jon Dixon |
GO North East |
JDIXON.GONE@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk |
|
Sonia Sahota |
GO South East |
SSAHOTA.GOSE@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk |
|
Usha Choli |
GO London |
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Last update: 27 May 2005