24-hour economyThe night-time economy itself has grown significantly, creating and sustaining employment as well as attracting inward investment and visitors. It is now evolving from a primary focus on the sale and consumption of alcohol to a more continental lifestyle offering a greater variety of activities for visitors. The fast food sector has seen one of the largest expansions with more outlets opening in town and city centres, some staying open until 4am to attract customers.This growth of the evening economy between 5pm and 9pm and the night-time economy after 9pm has been supported by the rapid expansion of bars, clubs, restaurants and licensed premises. Statistics show that a significant amount of criminal activity in the UK takes place in town centres. This is partly due to the concentration of businesses and the large number of people who visit and work in these locations. The most common types of crime to affect town centres are:
There is a range of legislation to assist the police and other enforcement authorities to tackle these crimes, together with other initiatives which involve other members of the community. (There are sections in the full version of the guide, which outlines in detail guidance for dealing with particular forms of anti social behaviour such as alcohol abuse and street fouling) Tools for Delivery and SuccessDesign Against Crime is a government initiative to encourage businesses to consider ways in which their premises, operations and stock can be designed and planned in ways that discourage crime. The Design Against Crime website offers valuable information, case studies and educational material for retailers, professional designers, design students and anyone involved in crime reduction. www.designagainstcrime.org Business Crime Reduction Partnerships bring together town centre retailers and businesses to form an alliance against criminal activity affecting their trade. Further details can be found at the British Retail Consortium website www.brc.org.uk and the Action Against Business Crime website www.businesscrime.org.uk Your Business – Keep Crime Out of Itis a booklet produced by the Home Office’s Crime Reduction Centre. It gives advice on surveying business premises, stock and procedures, plus tips on working together to fight crime. The booklet is available at: www.crimereduction.gov.uk Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships involve a wide range of authorities and groups, including the local authority, police and fire services, Primary Care Trusts, probation boards, parish councils, schools, social landlords, transport providers and retailers. Together, every three years, they carry out an audit of local crime, disorder and misuse of drugs. More information is available at www.crimereduction.gov.uk The Safer Business Award is for business crime reduction partnerships. It recognises accepted standards of management and operation. For more information please visit www.businesscrime.org.uk Depending on circumstances, persistent offenders in town centres can be issued with an Exclusion Order to exclude them from business premises with the aim of reducing further crime and/or the fear of crime. Further information is available from www.businesscrime.org.uk |
