Safer Business Action Day comes to Trafford Centre as officers focus resources on tackling retail crime

Police officers took part in a Safer Business Action Day (SaBA) yesterday (19 October), as part of a wider week of proactive activities designed to stamp out business-related crime in our communities.

It was a multi-agency approach for the day of action, which is the focal point of the National Business Crime Centre’s Safer Business Action Week – in which each of our districts have flooded their local areas with resources to take part in everything from arresting shoplifters to community engagement.

Visitors to the shopping centre were greeted by a mix of police yellow and blue and security red, as officers joined mall security for patrols and chats to retailers. 

SaBA days are a joint approach by police, business, private security and other organisations and groups, who work in partnership to focus resources into designated location to create a significant impact to reduce crime.

Greater Manchester Police is committed to supporting retailers, and regularly liaise with store security to discuss the needs of those who are based at the Trafford Centre.

Superintendent Cara Charlesworth, retail crime lead for Greater Manchester Police, attended the day, alongside Kate Green, Deputy Mayor for policing, crime, criminal justice and fire.

The Superintendent and Deputy Mayor spoke to shopworkers and managers, to discuss everything from how they respond to crime to the preventative measures they have in place.

The Deputy Mayor also visited a stall for Greater Manchester Victim Services’, a service which provides useful information and practical advice for victims and survivors of crime, and their families.

The initiative is funded by the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s office and involves several partners working together to transform the lives of victims of crime for the better.

Throughout the week, officers have been encouraging people to #ShopKind as it continues to support the campaign to encourage positive behaviour in shops, including raising awareness about the violence that shopworkers can face on a regular basis.

The campaign was launched for the entire retail sector and promotes the challenges that those who work within the industry face. This includes abuse, insults, and physical violence, of which hundreds of instances are reported each week across the country.

Superintendent Charlesworth said: “The Safer Business Action Day at the Trafford Centre meant we were able to show off the fantastic work that we do alongside our partners to tackle business crime and ensure the safety of customers and workers alike.

“We have had countless officers engaging with the public throughout the week, meaning we are having those important conversations about ways in which we can support the business communities.

“This week has enabled us to shine a very important light on the issues faced by the businesses, and by promoting schemes such as #ShopKind and Victim Services, we have been able to reach thousands of people to ensure we are playing our part in protecting the public from criminality."

Kate Green, Deputy Mayor for policing, crime, criminal justice and fire, said: “Retail crime is an issue that creates fear and misery for hardworking individuals who are doing a vital job to support their families and our communities. This will not be tolerated, and we will continue to work in partnership with our business community to find solutions together.

“GMP continues to build on the work undertaken over the last 18 months to ensure we remain in a strong position to support shopworkers and retailers to report crime and share evidence; identify prolific offenders and target resources where they are most needed; and prioritise police response to violence. Alongside this, GMP have recently launched their refreshed neighbourhood policing teams with an additional 264 officers being deployed to add greater visibility, decrease response times, and secure prosecutions.

“Events such as those that have taken place this week – along with the #ShopKind campaign, which we continue to support – bolster our ongoing efforts and rightly shine a light on the issue and its impact. Shopworkers should be treated with respect and kindness, and nobody should have to face abuse, fear or criminality simply for doing their job.

ACS government relations director Edward Woodall said: “We encourage all businesses and police forces to get behind the national week of action and share messages with their customers and colleagues about ShopKind.”