Chester Against Business Crime (CABC) has announced that it has deployed NBIS (National Business Information System) from risk management and crime reduction specialists Hicom. NBIS has been chosen to directly tackle the threats posed to the City by travelling criminal gangs from nearby towns and cities.
With over 200 members, CABC is a proactive partnership between local businesses, the local authority and Cheshire Police. The partnership works with Chester Renaissance and aims to combat all aspects of crime and antisocial behaviour in Chester. The partnership is self funding and operates a radio rental scheme whereby members including retailers, the police, community enforcement officers and river patrol, are all linked via the partnership’s new digital radio system.
Bob Lelliott, Manager of Chester Against Business Crime, says, “When we were looking for an information management system to handle our crime data, a key concern was the threat posed by travelling gangs, as Chester is geographically positioned between the metropolitan boroughs of Merseyside and Greater Manchester. It was therefore important that we were able to link to and access the data from other similar schemes run in the North West. Through speaking to Action Against Business Crime (AABC) about the type of system we required, the NBIS system from Hicom was the only one that could effectively meet our specific criteria.”
Lelliott continues, “The main advantage that NBIS has over other technology is the ability to share information with other partnerships that use the system. Neighbouring towns and cities such as Liverpool, Manchester, Bolton and Blackpool are all using the system, which means we can exchange information quickly and easily on criminal activities that are happening in the region. Being aware of the latest scam or violent incident enables us to better advise our retailers and local businesses on what behaviour to be cognisant of and how best to protect themselves.”
Lelliott says, “NBIS allows us to deliver first class intelligence and bring value to the partnership. For example, we have found NBIS particularly useful in regards to dealing with anti-social behaviour offences, such as shop assistants being verbally abused. Whilst this type of behaviour might be considered too minor to involve the Police by some retailers, it must not be tolerated and needs to be logged appropriately and the information collated for future ASBO evidence if required. NBIS gives us this functionality and we can then monitor the individual’s behaviour, taking appropriate action should the same offence happen again.”
Lelliott adds: “The partnership holds information meetings once a week, which are attended by representatives from the Police, CCTV operators, the local business community, and anyone with a vested interest in the CABC scheme. These meetings are really beneficial as they facilitate the exchange of information between authoritative bodies. The quality of the intelligence we gain through NBIS is paramount and reliable information is key to the success of any business crime reduction partnership.”
Lelliott adds: “With the more accurate picture we have gleaned from NBIS on safety issues in Chester, we can better direct resources, such as the police, to focus on issues that matter most to local businesses, helping make the City safe and welcoming for all.”
