FOR businesses across the county being a victim of crime has devastating consequences.

Be it vandalism, theft or worse, it has far-reaching affects for those who run the firms, their staff and customers.

But Essex is leading the way when it comes to beating business crime.

The county now has a new Crime Against Business Strategy – designed by businesses for businesses - and is the first of its kind in the country.

The document was developed by a board made up of the Essex Chambers of Commerce, Essex Police and the police and fire commissioner.

Denise Rossiter, chief executive of the Essex Chambers of Commerce, said the strategy sent a clear message.

She said: “We are lucky in Essex to have so many innovative, entrepreneurial businesses, so it is no surprise to me that when it comes to fighting business crime, our county is leading the way.

“As we have brought businesses and policing closer together, we have really seen the difference that closer collaboration can bring.

“More and more businesses are supporting Essex Police by either releasing their staff to help as Special Constables, sharing information or taking up prevention advice.

“At the same time, the investment Essex Police is making in its new Business Crime Team is a clear commitment to the business community in Essex.”

The Business Crime Strategic Board was itself a national first when it was established in July 2018 and has worked closely with businesses, policing and community safety partners to develop the strategy.

It also provides advice and guidance to helping businesses and the police to work effectively together.

The strategy will be led by the force’s new Business Crime Team made up of a sergeant, two police constables and an analyst.

The strategy’s vision is to create safe and secure communities where businesses can thrive.

Its aims to reduce crime against businesses and the board hopes it will be achieved by encouraging businesses to report crime, improving crime prevention advice and supporting businesses to help themselves, to increase the confidence of the business community and strengthen partnership working.

Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: “Businesses are an important part of our day-to-day life, bringing wealth and vibrancy to our communities.

“We want to create safe and secure environments where local businesses can thrive. Businesses have told us what support they need to do this, and we have responded.

“Only by working together can we drive down crime, making our communities a safer place to work, visit and thrive for us all.”

The Chief Constable of Essex Police, Ben Julian Harrington, said: “We have been investing heavily in local, community policing over the last two years.

“Last summer we launched Town Centre Teams across Essex and expanded our Rural Engagement Team to build on our dedicated support for both local businesses and communities.

“The dedicated Business Crime team will continue this support by working closely with business owners, partners and customers to bring together intelligence from across the county to provide practical advice and catch the criminals who are targeting and affecting local businesses.

“Business crime can take many forms, from cybercrime to fraud to shoplifting.

“By working together, we can really make an impact and reduce and prevent crime that is harming our communities.

“Through the prevention of crime, Essex Police is helping business to thrive and make our county a safer place for everyone.”

About 22,000 crimes take place against businesses each year which is roughly 20per cent of all recorded crime.

The largest proportion of crime happens in retail businesses with licensed premises and restaurants the next most common.

Essex Police says businesses who invest in crime prevention advice can successfully reduce their risk of being affected by crime while those businesses who choose not to follow crime prevention advice find themselves disproportionately affected.