Business Policing For a safe and secure Victoria
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Victoria is served by a dedicated team of officers from both Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police Services who respond to the needs of the community and emergent crime trends of the Victoria area. Victoria Business Improvement District (BID) provides a platform for businesses to work together with both forces in order to improve and enhance the Victoria area, called Safe & Secure. It is guided by local businesses and organisations, with the Victoria BID team helping shape Victoria’s future development, repositioning and strengthening of this area as a safe and secure district for business to flourish. Businesses are keen to make their contribution in making any visit to Victoria incident free for both business and leisure visitors alike.
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business policing Victoria Business Team The Victoria Business Team is a dedicated team of Metropolitan Police officers and community support officers (PCSOs) who respond to the emergent crime trends of the Victoria district. The team have been established to address crime issues that are specific to the Victoria area. A Police Sergeant has been seconded full time from the Victoria Business Team, dedicated to the Victoria Business Improvement District (BID) as our Business Crime Reduction Officer. This has enabled the team to take a more focused business policing approach, meeting the needs of business interests, identifying the concerns of employers and their workforce by raising awareness of crime, helping to manage risk and ensuring community safety in SW1. The Victoria Business Team has implemented the Business Policing Model developed from a Home Office study. Safe & Secure, a key theme of the Victoria Business Improvement District (BID) has been developed from this 4
Business Policing in Victoria
study. Safe & Secure initiatives directly benefit businesses and the residential community. The Victoria Business Team work in partnership with all of the BID’s key stakeholders including the Victoria HUB team to reduce crime and improve security in the area. This is particularly important in preparation for upcoming events, like the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee & the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games.
victoria hub team The Victoria Hub Team brings police officers and PCSOs from Metropolitan Police Transport for London operational command and the British Transport Police Service together. The Victoria Hub Team was established to police Victoria’s transport hub, which includes the mainline train station, Underground, bus station and Coach Station. Working together with the Victoria Business Police Team they share briefings and operational intelligence, and the teams are in touch via Radio Link. Victoria Hub Team is a driving force for crime reduction and
improving passenger safety, their operational area boundary follows that of the Victoria BID.
consultation The Police have found the under-reporting of crime to be a common problem in the area, particularly in relation to anti-social behaviour, shoplifting and fraud, which follow seasonal variations. To maintain a more responsive approach to localised crime patterns a consultative group known as the Safe & Secure Steering Group, which is a Ward Panel made up of a cross-section of the community, meet regularly to discuss current security issues specific to the Victoria area. The steering group decides what is most relevant to the community they represent and prioritise the most pressing issues. The Police Team work in partnership with Westminster City Council and the Victoria BID who steer the Ward Panel, bringing skills together to work toward sustainable solutions to the problems identified. This approach also helps
tackle the perception of crime, which while proven to be relatively low, impacts upon how the area feels and is perceived by those wanting to spend time in it. The Police teams also hold their own consultative groups to determine the appropriate tactical response. They also attend local homeless sub-group meetings hosted by Victoria BID on a quarterly basis, made up of enforcement agencies and community stakeholders committed to finding longer-term solutions to homelessness.
CHALLENGING perceptionS It is proven that a cleaner public realm contributes to the feeling that an area is safer and managed. Victoria BID is working on several schemes to improve the public realm that sit within its “Clean and Green� theme. Victoria BID runs a successful Ambassadors scheme of uniformed guides helping visitors Business Policing in Victoria
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crime prevention by keeping the flow of pedestrian traffic moving, reducing bottlenecks and limiting the opportunity for muggings, bag theft and mobile phone theft to take place.
and commuters with their journeys beyond Victoria Station itself, including Gatwick Express and the Underground. They support the Victoria Hub Team by being an additional monitoring presence. Using an electronic messaging system they notify Westminster City Council of damaged public infrastructure, graffiti, unauthorised refuse disposal etc. Whilst they have no policing powers Ambassadors reduce response time to vandalism and obstructions, keeping the area around Victoria Station cleaner and free of obstructions during business hours. Legible London a new city-wide way finding sign system has also contributed to minor 6
Business Policing in Victoria
PURPLE FLAG Victoria has attained Purple Flag status in recognition that the area is a safe and secure location to work and socialise during the evening. It is a nationally recognised accreditation introduced by the Police, applied for and implemented by the Victoria BID.
SAFER BUSINESS AWARD Victoria BID is officially registered under the Association of Business Crime Partnerships and is now recognised as the holder of the Safer Business Award. This highlights our achievements in meeting the needs of business interests, through the high level of partnership activity to drive down crime and improve safety.
reducing crime While rough sleeper associated antisocial behaviour, bag theft and pick pocketing (termed Volume Crime by the Police), feature highly amongst reported crime in Victoria, statistically reported crime rates in Victoria have followed a downward trend, making Victoria one of the safest areas of Westminster. The reduction coincides with a period of increased funding being made available by Victoria BID supporting more targeted localised policing and encouraging greater cooperation between police forces that had hitherto operated under separate jurisdiction. The extra funds have enabled the forces concerned to conduct joint operations between the Metropolitan Police and the British Transport Police (BTP). Safe & Secure are proud to deliver: RADIO LINK Expansion of a successful radio scheme has totalled over 164 community radio users. The Victoria BID fund radio handsets that
keep business staff & security officers and Police teams across a defined area informed and connected. Allowing those signed up to the scheme to share security information via a 24-hour control room. GRAPEVINE Free private web-link utilising Community Safe to supply community focused security information, suspects’ pictures and crime data to help business staff prevent and detect crime that affects them. FACEWATCH Victoria BID is the first BID in the country to benefit from Facewatch – following its successful pilot in Victoria earlier this year the new crime reporting system is being installed at key retailers and leisure outlets in Victoria. It is based on a network of businesses using one simple, online system to report incidents and share information and CCTV images between businesses. Facewatch cuts the amount of administrative time that it takes to report an incident and assembles the required evidence, making it easier to process Business Policing in Victoria
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POLICE OPERATIONS These operations bring together all enforcement agencies to target crime and manage its displacement. These initiatives are usually high profile and leave no room to hide in Victoria. CRIME PREVENTION WORKSHOPS Policing Teams offer bespoke business crime prevention and safety workshops within workplaces to combat seasonal crime trends. Victoria BID has supported the workshops by supplying crime prevention devices.
a conviction, saving valuable police time and streamlining the process of dealing with lowlevel crime like bag theft and shoplifting.
CAFÉ WATCH Regular meetings between restaurant and cafÊ owners established to improve information sharing and reduce opportunist crime like mobile phone and bag theft.
PUB/HOTEL WATCH Regular quarterly meetings between alcohol license holders to control access to alcohol, thereby reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in and around licensed premises.
SURGERIES The Policing Teams offer walk-in surgeries across Victoria. Specific details of these events can be found on the following websites: www.met.police.uk & www.btp.police.uk
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Business Policing in Victoria
physical security Physical security covers some of the most effective measures any business can put in place to protect its staff and business operation from criminal activity. The most obvious are uniformed security staff, good quality well-maintained digital CCTV recording system, grills, shutters and barriers, that offer a range of deterrents. The Policing Teams can help plan business security requirements absolutely free of charge, whether in the planning stages of making new security arrangements or reviewing existing security needs.
COMMUNITY SAFETY ACCREDITATION SCHEME (CSAS) CSAS involves providing recognised standards of accreditation of existing security staff with limited police powers within a clearly defined zone of operation in order to deal with low-level anti-social behaviour. CSAS adds an extra tier of support that compliments existing policing patrols providing a very visible presence in a specific setting.
Safe & Secure currently supports the following free security measures: CRIME PREVENTION DESIGN ADVISOR (CPDA) The Police Teams have a CPDA who conducts site visits and can recommend ideas on how to reduce crime and the risk of crime associated with your business.
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VOLUNTEER SPECIAL CONSTABLES Employer Supported Policing is a scheme introduced to local business aimed at employers and their staff encouraging them to put themselves forward for selection as Volunteer Special Constables to police their local community. SAFER SOCIALISING AWARD Setting standards and establishing security procedures within the hotel, pub, club and restaurant industry. This scheme will appeal to hospitality and leisure businesses interested in becoming accredited and wanting to engage with the visitor influx during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Games. THE MET VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME The programme seeks volunteers from the business community who can bring their skills to assist in supplementing administrative roles at the Metropolitan Police.
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Business Policing in Victoria
STREET PASTORS Street pastors provide a supportive mechanism to emerging social problems including the homeless community and pub/ club goers, while acting as extra eyes and ears within the community. OVERT PATROLS High visibility uniform patrols and multiagency operations using specialist units like passive drugs dog initiatives. COVERT PATROLS Intelligence led plain-clothes patrols, including ‘decoy’ bag initiatives and surveillance to detect and disrupt crime and deal with types of anti-social behaviour.
counter terrorism We work closely with Police Counter Terrorism Security Advisors (CTSA) who will carry out surveys and offer free advice about improved structural design through the use of good lighting, clean sight lines and CCTV systems etc. Communication and partnership between police, landlords and land users is vital to create a more difficult place for terrorists to operate or conduct ‘hostile reconnaissance’ for future terrorist acts. Strategic Counter Terrorism Training for Managers (ARGUS) We actively encourage senior business staff to attend these free seminars that focus on working together to help counter potential terrorist attacks and discuss how businesses can survive in the aftermath. Tactical/Operational Counter Terrorism Training (GRIFFIN) These seminars are aimed at security staff and help to raise the awareness around hostile reconnaissance and how to remain vigilant.
Bespoke Counter Terrorism Training (FAIRWAY) Detectives will attend your place of business and provide free up to date training on the current threat levels, hostile reconnaissance & domestic/international/extremist terrorism. Bespoke Counter Terrorism Training (LANGLEY) This free training details recruitment fraud and shows how rogue employees can infiltrate your business to fund terrorism and crime. Counter Terrorism Security Advisor Businesses are encouraged to make use of this free police Counter Terrorism Security Advisor who can assess your building and procedures to achieve enhanced security. Community Safe Staff at all levels of business are encouraged to log in and become members of this free weblink that provides counter terrorism and crime related community messaging. www.communitysafe.gov.uk
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business continuity Most large-scale businesses have a continuity plan to ensure that they can continue to operate in the event of a major incident, maintaining business activity. Most plans cover disruption from fire or flood and risk of terrorist attack. Regardless of how big or small the business is, the important questions to ask are:   Is the business continuity plan fit for purpose?   Are your plans reviewed regularly as trading circumstances change?   How do your plans impact on your neighbours? Westminster City Council advises on business continuity in line with an overall strategic plan put in place by the London Resilience Team to assist Londoners in case of an emergency. Under the Civil Contingencies Act all local authorities have an obligation to support companies in contingency planning. Establishing or even enhancing your 12
Business Policing in Victoria
contingency plans will help to protect your business interests and staff. We could even save your company money, as this planning is usually conducted by commercial security companies for a fee. Safe & Secure are supporting Business Continuity by: Paper Feed Workshops (Stage 1) This is an interactive session that allows business delegates to consider all options and their reactions to any major incident situation. Tabletop Exercises (Stage 2) This creates another dimension by roleplaying major incidents in the classroom. Mock Incidents (Stage 3) This allows businesses, police and local authorities to act out their contingency plans on site. Business Forum This is a quarterly forum designed to allow business delegates to bring together their
expertise and share best practice. These meetings are usually themed to get the best out of each session. Business Continuity Consultation This is a new field that Victoria BID are exploring and will ultimately allow Business Continuity experts to attend your place of business and audit your existing plans in confidence and offer advice and guidance on how to improve them. This also includes mapping of muster points to make sure that these don’t clash with your neighbours. Information Packs In partnership with Westminster City Council contingency planners, Victoria Policing teams are delivering Business Continuity Information Packs to all businesses.
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fraud and economic crime Fraud is an under reported crime for several reasons. It is famously difficult to detect and even more difficult to apply to the legal process in terms of pursuing a successful prosecution. Safe & Secure are actively trying to combat fraud by partnering with Police Fraud Detectives and The Bank of England to provide community seminars and free business fraud health checks to highlight vulnerabilities, share new fraud detection techniques and how it can be minimised and prevented. Expert fraud advice can be provided by Safe & Secure in the following areas: Data security and safe disposal The value of customer data to criminal groups, how to implement systems and procedures that reduce the likelihood of data loss including safe and secure disposal of data and documents.
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Protecting company identity Looking at potential vulnerabilities and how to put measures in place to prevent company identity theft. Staff vetting procedures Risk assessing the vulnerabilities of particular staff posts (existing and new), potential vetting solutions, how to carry them out efficiently, who should be doing them and to what level? Knowing your clients/suppliers Know your customer/supplier, trading references, use of credit checks, case studies involving long/short-term frauds against business and how to reduce the risk of becoming a victim. Internal fraud protection Audit of existing procedures; whistle blowing. Payment protection Focused on card ‘not present’ transactions – with practical advice on ways of dealing with this growing problem.
General CONTACT If you are interested in taking part in any of the Victoria BID’s Safe & Secure initiatives or wish to learn more about Business Policing, please contact the Business Crime Reduction Officer: Victoria Business Improvement District Karl Rogers Business Crime Reduction Officer 8a Lower Belgrave Street, London SW1W 0LJ T 020 3004 0788 M 075 3451 7639 E karl.rogers@inSW1.com W www.insw1.com
POLICE CONTACTS Victoria Business Team
Mass Market Fraud Includes advice on how to protect against phishing e-mails, texts & letters. Cyber Crime How to make your business aware of rogue websites & insecure systems. Cheque and Card Crime Awareness of all crime types relating to cash/ credit cards, cheques and cash points/ATMs. Counterfeit Currency Protect your business cash transactions by raising awareness of the security measures used by the Bank of England on all currency usage. General fraud prevention An overview of principle fraud issues facing commerce in the UK.
Metropolitan Police Belgravia Police Station 202 – 206 Buckingham Palace Road London SW1W 9SX T 020 7321 6920 M 077 4775 8629 E sntvictoriabusiness@met.police.uk W www.met.police.uk
Victoria Transport Hub Teams: Victoria Mainline & Underground stations: British Transport Police Hudson’s Place London SW1V 1PY T 0207 922 6235 or 9850 / 0207 983 7232 F 0207 983 7669 E victoriahubteam@btp.pnn.police.uk W www.btp.police.uk Dial 0800 40 50 40 for non emergency Victoria Coach Station & Bus Station: Metropolitan Police Safer Transport Team 172 Buckingham Palace Road London SW1W 9SX T 020 7027 3067 M 077 8769 7869 E STTWestminster@met.police.uk W www.met.police.uk
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