3 Ways to Boost Collaboration between the Police and Security Industry

A former Met commander has told an IFSEC panel discussion that building up trust and confidence between the police and business partners is key to the sharing of information.

Commander Simon Letchford said there are big demands on the police as around 16% of all crime in London has a business element but a significant amount of business crime is under-reported.

Cmdr Letchford, the former lead for business crime and who helped to develop the Police and Security Group Initiative (PaS), said: “There are a lot of issues around trust and confidence and we have found some really good initiatives, but as soon as individuals move on they fall down.

“We were keen on building up those relationships and developing guidance and advice. For example every London borough has a single person point of contact (SPOC) and normally a senior level officer who can engage with those business initiatives.”

Another key issue Cmdr Letchford outlined was that the nature of policing is changing rapidly. “There have been some significant financial cuts in the policing budget. Anything up to a third of the budget has been removed and officer numbers have been cut.”

A further challenge has been the terrorist threat. He explained: “We know now that terrorists will target crowded event areas and night-time entertainment venues. We also know the way crime is committed is changing. More crimes are being committed online and it’s a lot more global. We have seen criminals coming over to the United Kingdom to target the retail business.”

He added that crime prevention plays a key role in serving businesses. “However we need to know how we can build up that trust and confidence with our business partners so that we can share information that is meaningful and actually makes a difference.”

Three areas of focus

Putting the business case, Paul Smith echoed the view that collaboration with the police and London retailers was central to the sharing of intelligence and to ensure a safer environment.

He outlined three key areas of focus:

1. “How can we work with 43 different police forces to ensure a common approach to how we manage crime.”

2. “We need to be making the right choice about which initiative to support, Pas or National Crime Business Solutions for example, or whether it is a combination. Which ones do you spend your time and effort working with?”

3  “How do we share intelligence across retailers and other businesses within the UK by better managing crime within organisations.”

 

Dirk Wilson CEO of Sector Security said the suppliers are a servant of two masters. On the one hand they have their client who wants them to provide safety and security and on the other is the formal government body that wants to make sure they are not overstepping the bounds of responsibility and capability.

“Between the two we tread a very fine line,” he commented. “We have to run a business and we have to make a profit to develop and to grow. We must support and look after our clients and to provide them with what they want and when they want it.

“We also need to work within the framework which is established by the law. We have to work smart and working smart means better communication.”