Listen
Fight against business crime
08/02/2008
The Scottish Business Crime Centre (SBCC) is to receive more than £750,000 over the next three years from the Scottish Government.
The SBCC was created in 1996 to establish a partnership approach between the police, business community and Government.
The non-profit-making organisation provides practical advice to the business and commercial sectors on crime reduction and prevention strategies.
It has been at the forefront of developing many initiatives including 'Secured by Design' (SBD), which encourages the building industry to adopt crime prevention measures within architectural design and has been shown to contribute to crime reductions of as much as 60 per cent.
Another initiative is the 'Best Bar None' award scheme which aims to reduce alcohol-related harm, disorder and crime.
Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing said:
"The Scottish Government is committed to building safe and strong communities and right across Scotland businesses, large and small, are at the very heart of vibrant communities.
"When our businesses are the target of criminals, the impact can be felt by the wider community. That is why we are supporting the SBCC to continue and expand its excellent work and to build its reputation as a centre of excellence.
"This funding boost will enable the SBCC to further develop and strengthen its partnership links with the business community and local Community Safety Partnerships, delivering key crime reduction and prevention initiatives."
Alan Dobie, Executive Director of the SBCC, said:
"I am delighted that the Scottish Government has agreed to support the work of the Scottish Business Crime Centre for a further three years.
"The success of the Centre is based on partnership working between the Scottish Government, the police, the business community, local community safety partnerships and other partners.
"The benefits of this approach can be seen in communities throughout Scotland. This continued support from Scottish Ministers will enable us to further develop our work in Scotland."
The SBCC has seen its membership base increase by 250 per cent over the last three years.
Following the funding agreement for the next three years, the SBCC plans to facilitate new initiatives, including the establishment of an information hub which will gather and share crime reduction intelligence with the business community, as well as establishing a research centre for business crime.
SBD aims to encourage the building industry to adopt appropriate design features such as secure vehicle parking and adequate lighting of common areas - to facilitate natural surveillance and create a sense of ownership and responsibility for every part of a building development.
The Best Bar None' scheme benefits from sponsorship from alcohol producers and distributors in Scotland, works with and assesses licensed premises, and rewards those safe and well-managed venues that manage to meet minimum standards of operation.