CM Chamber working with GM Police

Date published: 25/03/2008

Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce is currently working with Greater Manchester Police on a number of projects to tackle the continued issue of business crime against members and the wider business community. In essence we want to make the issue of crime against business one that government, at a national and local level, pays attention to and tackles effectively.

Following Operation Tomahawk earlier in the year which aimed to tackle personal robbery, this action is designed to target criminal damage and anti-social behaviour. Operation Slingshot took place on 19 March and saw high profile activity taking place throughout Greater Manchester.

Statistics from Greater Manchester Police show that each incidence of criminal damage costs an average of £166 and with 76,000 cases across the whole of Greater Manchester last year, the bill to the tax payer totalled £66.3 million.

Chamber members report that criminal damage and anti-social behaviour are both a real and costly problem for them. The Chamber is planning to do more in-depth follow up work with the police and other partners to give companies information on how to protect themselves against these types of crimes.

Part of the development of the Chamber's relationship with GM Police is the sharing of information between the two organisations for the benefit of the wider community. The Chamber has recently been made aware by the Police about the increasing number of incidents of the theft of non-ferrous metals (non magnetic metals such as aluminium, brass, zinc, lead) from buildings. As well as the cost of these crimes, there are also issues around the safety of staff and disruption to business that are the result of some of these incidents. Both the Chamber and GM Police are keen to receive any information from businesses who have suffered such a theft.

Should you require any more information email, Carol Hokins:

carol.hopkins@gmchamber.co.uk