DORSET Police officers are supporting a national Safer Business Action Week to help tackle business and retail crime across the county.

The National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) coordinates the week of action, which runs from Monday, October 14, to Sunday, October 20.

It aims to equip business owners and security staff with the tools to tackle business crime and raise awareness of the support available to help protect them.

Inspector Dan Cullen of Dorset Police said: “This week of action is a great opportunity for us to engage with businesses in our community and show our commitment to reducing retail crime.”

As part of the week of action, local neighbourhood policing teams will have an enhanced focus on retail crime and deliver activity based on their local intelligence pictures.

This will include partnership meetings with business improvement districts, crime prevention visits to shops, increased patrols in hotspot areas to look for shoplifters and engagement with businesses to encourage and provide support with reporting incidents.

Business and retail crime can encompass a wide variety of matters, from theft and burglary to cybercrime or abuse and violence directed at staff.

Inspector Cullen added: “We want to use this week to build upon the relationships we have with our retailers to help support them and target those who cause the most harm to businesses.

“While this week marks a specific enhanced response, it is important to note that this type of activity is taking place all year round and officers are working every day to tackle issues facing businesses and their customers.”

Police and crime commissioner for Dorset David Sidwick said: “Shoplifting is not a victimless offence.

"From regular conversations with shop owners, I know the impact of these crimes have not only on a company’s bottom line but also on the staff and communities targeted. It was one of the reasons I stood for this role originally.

“I want to acknowledge the hard work of the dedicated officers at Dorset Police who are working to reduce business crime and all others, including the stores and shops who are working with us.

“We want our high streets to be vibrant places for consumers to visit, and initiatives such as Safer Business Action Week will help our town centres continue to thrive.”