New partnership scheme to tackle business crime in Lewes district

 Funded by Lewes Community Safety Partnership over a three-year period, this is an expansion of a similar scheme that has been operating successfully in Eastbourne for 11 years and offers business across the district the opportunity to join up for free.

The newly-formed Eastbourne & Lewes Business Crime Reduction Partnership is a partnership of local businesses and agencies including Lewes District Council, Eastbourne Borough Council and Sussex Police.

It will work closely with Neighbourhood Policing Teams to help target the most persistent and problematic business crime offenders and assist with protecting businesses. Alongside this, it will also work with Sussex Police's Licensing Team offering enhanced support to existing Pubwatch schemes in the area to make venues safer places to visit and work in.

Councillor Christine Robinson, Deputy Leader of Lewes District Council and Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing at Lewes District Council, said: "This is great news for businesses and customers alike across the district and as a testament to that, nearly 40 businesses had already joined the scheme by launch day. I look forward to even more business sign ups and the benefits this will bring in making our town centres and evening venues even better and safer places to visit."

The council's Specialist Advisor for Business Crime, Adam Godden, will run the new Eastbourne & Lewes Business Crime Reduction Partnership, having previously operated the Eastbourne partnership for 11 years.

He said: "I am pleased we have been able to expand into Lewes district. This allows us to use existing working relationships with larger corporate businesses that we established in Eastbourne alongside starting to work with the many independent businesses across the Lewes district, supporting them in tackling business crime. This will benefit the wider community by effectively targeting repeat offenders and working with Sussex Police to obtain orders that curb their criminal behaviour."

Inspector John Adams, Lewes District Neighbourhood Policing Inspector, added: "Tackling shoplifting and anti-social behaviour are two of my priorities in Lewes district. Both myself and my team are committed to supporting all retail businesses in reducing shoplifting and targeting offenders. Shoplifting and the associated anti-social behaviour impacts on each and every one of us and I am keen for all businesses to sign up to the scheme. This is an opportunity to share information quickly and safely between businesses to tackle both business crime and crime often associated with the nighttime economy."

If you run a business in Lewes district and wish to be part of this scheme, please contact adam.godden@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk for further information.

 

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