A Leeds shopping centre has become the first mall in the country to receive the new Safer Business Award (SBA).
This follows inspections by Action Against Business Crime (AABC), the accrediting body.
Dave Coulthard, Security Manager at Cross Gates, said: “This is a major achievement for the centre, showing that we are leading where other shopping centres will follow and setting the benchmark for the award. The SBA is the only nationally recognised standard to really demonstrate that a business takes the security of its customers, tenants and staff seriously, so our successful accreditation is a major boost to the efforts of the management team.”
The shopping centre reports a history of working with tenants, locals and West Yorkshire Police to help keep crime low. Dave and his officers have helped to set up a centre-wide network of shop owners and staff, who seek to spot anyone behaving suspiciously.
Michael Schuck, Chief Executive of London-based AABC, said: “Cross Gates started out working towards the Safer Shopping Award, our previous accreditation scheme for shopping centres, before becoming one of the first organisations to sign up for the new Safer Business Award, which requires even higher standards. By becoming the first shopping centre to qualify for the new award, Cross Gates has demonstrated a commitment to the well-being of its tenants and customers which other centres will want to follow.”
AABC was formed to help co-ordinate crime partnerships, working to strengthen links between business, crime reduction partnerships, police and others.
