Safer Business Hounslow is working to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour

West London Chambers took over the running of Safer Business Hounslow about 10 years ago. SBH started as a short circuit radio scheme, covering the town centres of Hounslow and Feltham, linking businesses with the Police, the local shopping centre CCTV and the borough wide CCTV centres, and of course with each other.

During the pandemic the role of SBH widened in that we employed Marshals to patrol the two town centres to ensure that businesses understood the regulations, which were fast changing. The Marshals were backed up by the Chamber team, including our Health and Safety Director, whose expertise was invaluable during the pandemic and the various shutdowns. Remember those distancing rules, the rule of six, sitting outside with vast distances between tables!

Those days seem a distant memory now the retailers are back open, and businesses are trading, but with the cost-of-living crisis, energy and mortgage costs increasing, business on our high streets can be challenging.

Shoplifting and anti-social behaviour is a challenge for traders and town centres alike. Far from being a victimless crime, shoplifting increases insurance premiums for retailers with costs being passed on to consumers. Business related crime also includes staff harassment, property damage, and vandalism.

Crime Reduction Partnerships have gained popularity because preventing crime is more effective than clearing up after it, and because perceptions of safety directly impact on people wanting to visit their town centre. Local community police have been cut back, so the role of the SBH marshals has grown ever more important. They run daily radio checks, sharing information with shop owners. Sharing information is key to the success of crime reduction partnerships. It brings results and everyone benefits, including the local community. The Marshals report anti-social behaviour on a weekly basis to the local Police. Owing to the decreased number of Police and what is seen as their ‘lack of interest’, shop lifting and other criminal offences are often not reported, but via SBH the Police are aware of what is happening on our two high streets. It is so important to report crime, if it is not reported then it is not logged, so is not seen. The less crime reported, the fewer Police officers. And thus the vicious circle continues.

Shoplifting and anti-social behaviour is a challenge for traders and town centres alike. Far from being a victimless crime, shoplifting increases insurance premiums for retailers with costs being passed on to consumers. Business related crime also includes staff harassment, property damage, and vandalism.

But SBH is working to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. In the spring we will be introducing a Yellow Card scheme, officially known as an Exclusion Scheme. Every shop, Public House, restaurant, or private business has the legal right to refuse a person entry to their premises or use of their services. Safer Business Hounslow will operate a collective Exclusion Scheme which means if you are banned by one member, you are banned by them ALL!

A YELLOW CARD can be issued by any scheme member and can be verbal or in writing (though will be followed up in writing wherever possible) to any individual(s) who misbehaves in or near their business. There is no requirement for formal Police standard evidence; this will be based upon the evidence of the Scheme Member witnessing the behaviour.

Following the award of the Yellow Card warning, a photograph of the offender and details of the incident will be shared with fellow scheme members. Partner Agencies such as the Police (including Police CCTV) and Local Authorities will also be advised of the incident for information and intelligence purposes.

Any individual who receives a second/third Yellow Card within a 12-month period will be considered for a Ban from using the services of all Safe Members, including Pubs, Clubs, Restaurants, Shops, Bus Services, Taxis and Private Hire Cabs to name but a few.

STRAIGHT RED On the rare occasions where an individual’s behaviour falls well below the expected standard, they may be issued a

Straight Red Card and immediately banned for the services of all members, examples of straight red would be assault on staff members or police.

Testimonials from The High Street

Holland & Barratts and New Look say they feel reassured by the presence of the SBH Marshals. The Manager at Natural Valley Clothing is really ‘happy with the support from the Marshals’ and there is a thumbs up from the Guard at Beauty Base.

Business Improvement Districts

Another exciting initiative is a BID (Business Improvement District) for the Hounslow High Street and surrounding area. Business Improvement Districts are business led partnerships which are created through a ballot process to deliver additional services to local businesses. All our neighbouring boroughs have a number of BIDs. West London Chambers works closely with Acton BID, Ealing BID, Fulham Broadway BID, Hammersmith & Fulham BID. Hounslow borough is a rarity in not having any BIDs. They can be a powerful tool for directly involving local businesses in local activities and allow the business community and local authorities to work together to improve the local trading environment.

A Business Improvement District is a defined area in which a levy is charged on all eligible business rate payers in addition to the business rates bill. This levy is used to develop projects which will benefit businesses in the local area.

There is no limit on what projects or services can be provided through a Business

Improvement District. The only requirement is that it should be something that is in addition to services provided by local authorities. Improvements may include, but are not limited to, extra safety/security, cleansing and environmental measures. SBH and West London Chambers will be working on the preparations for the ballot process, again in the spring.

We have carried out a Feasibility study which has thrown up many concerns, the major being the level of anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, theft etc which obviously affects footfall. The two words most chosen to describe Hounslow are: dirty and unsafe. This needs to be tackled. If people do not feel safe, they will stop using their local high streets and they will decline further. Alongside the SBH Marshals, a BID can only help the Hounslow area.

“Business Improvement Districts can drive economic growth, enhance public spaces and foster vibrant and thriving communities. With more than 340 BIDs in the UK, generating more than £150 million in levy annually, they are a proven mechanic in delivering real change for businesses and their trading environment. In an increasingly competitive market, a BID could help Hounslow remain a vibrant and attractive destination, driving footfall and fostering a sense of community pride.”

Lucy Stanford - BID Project Manager

The funding for SBH comes from the local authority, and the private sector, working together in partnership: We would very much like to thank our private sector sponsors: