Winchester Business Crime Reduction Partnership, which is managed by Winchester Business Improvement District (BID), has successfully renewed its National Standards accreditation.

The National Standards accreditation recognises good practice and professionalism, ensuring that the Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) is functioning in an ethical manner and within the law, and ensuring compliance with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The standards include good management practices and procedures such as membership agreements, data security and compliance with current legislation. It includes having robust information for members and partner organisations that is up to date as well as making it easily accessible 24/7.

In 2019, Winchester was one of the first partnerships in the UK to achieve accreditation with the new national standards introduced that year, which have a higher and more challenging criteria than the previous accreditation standards. The standards were raised to provide even greater confidence in BCRPs for businesses, Police, and partner agencies.

Jane Bastock, business crime reduction manager at Winchester BID, said: “I am delighted to have been re-accredited for a further two years and look forward to working with our business members to further develop the success of Winchester Business Crime Reduction Partnership. I am grateful for the support of our partners, particularly Hampshire Constabulary and the Winchester City Council Community Safety team who recognise the benefits of partnership working at a local level.”

Sandra Tuddenham, neighbourhood services and community safety manager at Winchester City Council, said: “I am pleased to offer my congratulations to Winchester BID who have been awarded the National Standards Business Crime Reduction Partnership accreditation. As a valued partner within the wider Community Safety Partnership, they represent local businesses at a number of crime reduction forums; sharing good practice and working in partnership to support local operational activity. Well done to all involved.”

Chief Inspector Jon Turton, District Commander for Winchester at Hampshire Constabulary, said: “Police work incredibly close with the BID and the Community Safety Partnership in order to tackle crime and disorder. The Shopwatch and Pubwatch schemes bring together our business community to ensure that we are working efficiently to make the city a better and safer place.

“If I compare the crime figures today to the same period in 2019 (a more realistic comparison than the statistics during the pandemic) we have, for example, collectively reduced retail crime in Winchester by 55% – that’s 225 fewer victims of crime. I’m so pleased to see that all of this great work has been recognised by this award.”

For more information about the National Standards visit: nbcc.police.uk/guidance/bcrp-standards.