Northamptonshire Police and Crime Commissioner Stephen Mold has supported the Northamptonshire Business Crime Partnership with a £15,000 grant to help fight retail crime in the county.

The Northamptonshire Business Crime Partnership (NBCP) was established in 2015 to replicate and develop the award-winning model of the Northampton Retail Crime Initiative countywide. The NBCP is an umbrella body that manages the Northampton, Wellingborough, Kettering, South Northamptonshire, East Northamptonshire, Rushden Lakes and Corby Retail Crime Initiatives that together, have a total of more than 450 members.

Northamptonshire Police and Crime Commissioner Stephen Mold (centre) with Mike Brennan and Ali Farr of the NBCP

Funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner will be used to assist the Business Crime Partnership to develop further work to reduce and prevent retail crime, identifying prolific retail offenders and sharing information and intelligence with its members.

Stephen Mold, Police and Crime Commissioner for Northamptonshire, said that everyone pays the price for retail crime.

“As someone who has run a business myself, I am well aware of the contribution that businesses large and small make to the local economy and daily life in Northamptonshire.  I also understand the impact that crime can have on a business, their staff and customers.

“The Northamptonshire Business Crime Partnership has prevention at its heart, supporting businesses with advice and information to combat crime of all kinds. Being able to help the NBCP helps to deliver a key part of the Police and Crime Plan and demonstrates how important it is that all sectors of the community work together with the police to prevent crime and catch offenders.”

Mike Brennan, Chairman of the Northamptonshire Business Crime Partnership, said:

“This funding is invaluable in helping the NBCP to support retailers across the county in the fight against retail crime and anti-social behaviour by providing them with the tools to prevent, disrupt and deter offenders. 

“We are grateful to the PCC for his support which will allow us to expand further in the county to assist retailers at this challenging time for the retail sector.”