Winchester Business Crime Reduction Partnership renews its national accreditation

Winchester Business Crime Reduction Partnership (WBCRP), an initiative that aims to prevent crime and disorder for the benefit of local businesses and the wider community, has successfully renewed its national accreditation.

Managed by Winchester Business Improvement District (BID), the Winchester Business Crime Reduction Partnership brings together key stakeholders, including the Winchester BID Rangers, police and local authority, to help tackle crime in the city.

The WBCRP has renewed its accreditation from the Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (Police CPI), better known as ‘Secured by Design’, following an assessment by the National Association of Business Crime Partnerships. The accreditation recognises that the partnership is operating lawfully, effectively, and in accordance with key standards set by the National Business Crime Centre.

The Winchester BID Rangers, provided by Venture Security, play a central role in the WBCRP, liaising between all stakeholders, as well as being a reassuring and visible security presence within the city centre for local businesses, residents and visitors.

Introduced in 2018, the Winchester BID Rangers scheme was one of the first of its kind in the UK and is recognised as an example of good practice by other town and city centres across the country. The Rangers have a strong track record in helping to reduce low level crime and antisocial behaviour, while providing additional security and first aid support in the city centre.

In April 2023, Winchester BID Ranger, Brett Jones, received the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Award for Business Crime Prevention, recognising the valuable role he is playing in supporting local policing and improving community safer.

Paul Spencer, Executive Director of Winchester BID, commented: “We are very pleased to share the news that we have successfully renewed our National Standards Accreditation. Thank you to Jane Bastock for her excellent leadership of the Winchester Business Crime Reduction Partnership and we are grateful for the support of our partners, particularly local businesses, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary and the Winchester City Council Neighbourhood Services and Community Safety Team.”

Paul Howe, MD, Venture Security, said: “We’re proud to be working with Winchester BID to help reduce crime and antisocial behaviour in the city. The Winchester Business Crime Reduction Partnership is a fantastic initiative, making a tangible difference for the local community and it’s great to see our Rangers playing a valuable part in that.”

Headquartered in Andover, Venture Security is a family run security company, which provides specialist security services for corporate and residential customers based across central southern England. The company is ranked within the top 0.5% of UK security providers.