BCLO Introduction
An introduction from the BIDs Business Crime Liaison Officer
"I am very pleased to introduce to you our new Business Crime Liaison Officer, Vinnie Geaves, who joined the BID team this month. Vinnie comes with a wealth of experience and knowledge that we would like all of our businesses to benefit from. As part of this the BID are launching a new newsletter section, which will initially come out bi-monthly to help keep you informed of events and information in regards to business crime and prevention in the city centre. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact Vinnie and make use of his expertise."
- Sam Good, BID Manager
May I start by saying thank you to the BID team and many of those of you that I have met for making me feel so welcome. For my first two weeks in post, I have been trying to meet so many of you and I apologise for those I haven’t………. yet!
It is a pleasure to start my new role, and all though well-travelled across the south of the country it’s good to be back in my hometown. My experience is varied having worked in Leisure, Law Enforcement, Security, Health and Safety, Adult education and safeguarding.
My main objective will be to deliver support and guidance across the town or soon to be city centre. I will be playing a vital role in liaising with key partners such as, Essex Police and Colchester Borough Council.
Every crime should be reported even if you believe it’s not worth it due to a lack of response or outcome. Perception of the police is low. This is further fuelled by media reporting and potentially our own experiences. Having spoken to the Police Town Team I have been well educated about the true nature of the priorities they face daily. The Police Town team are very passionate about Colchester and want to improve your safety and security. With your help we need to collaborate to provide the police the best information that may in turn be produced as evidence and achieve a positive outcome.
We have it in us to start to change, let’s start to reflect on what we/I can change to avoid being a target of crime.
Three easy and basic changes that I hope you can implement without little constraints such as resources/financial expenditure.
I’d appreciate it if you could brief all your staff and encourage them to be vigilant, I am also happy to visit your venue to discuss further and offer support to your staff and yourselves.
1. WELCOME ONE AND ALL!
Welcome people to your establishment/venue. It sounds simple but an early interaction with your customer will make them feel comfortable in your surroundings, by doing this they may feel they can reach out for your assistance. In turn you may have increased the chance of a sale. If they do purchase or utilise your services, they will leave feeling like a service has been provided and may lead to a recommendation. I’m sure you are all aware that a ‘word of mouth’ recommendation is more effective than paid adverts resulting five times more sales.
For a potential criminal this becomes a high-risk target, could they be identified. They hate interaction, even if you give the offer of assistance and their response is “No thank you just browsing” Respond by informing them that you will be close by and it’s no trouble being of assistance. But then be present!
If customers are picking up products, take control of the situation and the product. Use compliments to improve the sale. Handle or demonstrate the product you then have control.
For example
“That’s a great colour and design for you, would you like me to hold onto it for you while you continue, I can place it at the till”.
2. LAYOUT AND ASSESSMENT
There are some amazing services and products to showcase in Colchester.
Most of us know the little tricks to deter ‘would be’ criminals. An example of this is alternating the direction of clothing hangers. But as you work and move around, think as if you were targeting your venue. Blind spots and line of site.
If you want to promote high value products and draw customers in, then plan your staff to be in that dedicated area. If you’re not sure then ask me I’m more than willing to come and review or even, consider asking your fellow neighbours to share their experiences.
Be mobile, when possible, secure the till and high value areas and be visible.
Remember someone is watching and learning your routines. Carry a spare dusting cloth or antibacterial wipes. If you don’t want to make it obvious, you’re keeping a watchful eye, do some light dusting or cleaning in the vicinity.
Engage, if they wish for your assistance, they will have your undivided attention.
My last point in this section. You have the right to protect your venue. Be discreet but formal.
Tell them you don’t want their custom. Reduce the numbers that come into your venue.
Inform/communicate to neighbours or use the COLBAC radio. It’s much more effective and quicker to disrupt than take precious time and energy away from your day-to-day business involving the police when its already too late.
3. VULNERABILTY
It’s worth paying attention to new customers who are showing some form of vulnerability. Your regular customers will know you and you have built a good relationship with them and may seek help.
There are many characteristics of someone who is vulnerable. Children, Older People, Mobility impaired, Mental/cognitive function impaired, Sensory impaired, Minority language speakers as an example.
Finally, at Colchester BID we are working hard with the night-time economy on the ASK FOR ANGELA initiative. We have also successfully purchased ‘Defender Caps’ for drinks. These will be supplied to the SOS Bus. So, please remind your patrons to seek them out!
‘Ask for Angela’ a great response so far many of you may have collected your workbooks from the Pub watch meeting but you may have also seen me handing the workbooks out. Over 200 workbooks have been issued by myself and I will be looking at collecting and marking the books, issuing you and your staff with pin badges, certificates and discreet window stickers with posters. Please, please support your staff in completing. If you wish for me to attend to assist it would be my pleasure to come and support, you.
Our Colchester BID launch late night economy support programme - Our Colchester
So just consider ‘safeguarding’ topics.
- Modern slavery, Child Sexual Exploitation, Child Criminal Exploitation and Domestic Violence.
If you would like to learn more about vulnerability, we are offering free training. Please see the below links.
For the In Person training the link is:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/free-vulnerability-training-tickets-433502697237
For Online training the link is:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/435556680757
If you wish to discuss any of these topics or contribute or learn more then please do contact me.