Has your business been affected by crime?

If you run a business in the county you are invited to attend the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Business Crime Forum (PDF, 480 KB) on Thursday 22 May at West Suffolk College, Out Risbygate, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3RL.  A buffet will be served from 5.30pm and the event starts at 6pm.

This is your chance to hear about the impact of business crime and gain an understanding of how the police record and respond to crime, to put your questions to the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable and to learn how to protect your business against crime.

Guest speaker, Stuart Agnew, senior criminology lecturer at University Campus Suffolk (UCS), will update delegates on the university’s research on business crime in the county.

The study explores the perceptions of the business community in Suffolk in relation to the support they receive when they are victims of crime. It will also explore the perceptions of police officers regarding the emphasis placed upon tackling business crime and the support provided to the business community.

Tim Passmore said, “I truly believe that a strong economy boosts employment and helps to cut crime which in turn encourages investment. We all have a part to play to help create a thriving community and make Suffolk a safer place in which to live, work, travel and invest.

“Supporting the local economy is key to my ambition as PCC to make Suffolk a safer place. It’s well documented that if the economy suffers, you get more crime and where there is a problem with crime, it is more difficult to attract inward investment and new businesses; it’s a vicious circle and one that I certainly don’t want Suffolk to become a part of.

“I believe better understanding of the problem is the key to really making a difference. I am very pleased to be working with UCS on this research and hope that we get a good audience at the business forum as it will be an opportunity for local businesses to influence and contribute to this valuable work.”

This event is free to attend but you must book your place via the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce website. 

If you are interested in taking part in this research but unable to attend these events we would still like to hear from you – research flyer (PDF, 176KB)  – please comlete the on-line survey or e-mail – crimesagainstbusiness@UCS.AC.UK