Essex Chambers of Commerce have joined forces with Essex Police and the Essex Police Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst to work together to tackle crime against businesses across the county.

East Anglian Daily Times: Pc Bernard, Police and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst and Pc Jellis walking through Vineyards Shopping Centre near Chelmsford Picture: CHRIS COOKPc Bernard, Police and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst and Pc Jellis walking through Vineyards Shopping Centre near Chelmsford Picture: CHRIS COOK (Image: Archant)

Essex Chambers of Commerce have joined forces with Essex Police and the Essex Police Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst to work together to tackle crime against businesses across the county.

The initiative came about through a chambers’ dinner attended by the Chief Constable designate, B J Harrington, and the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Roger Hirst, with Essex Chambers’ members.

A wide range of issues were discussed. It was agreed that neither businesses nor the police could solve the problem of crimes against businesses alone and that they needed to work closer together.

It was agreed to set up a business-led board to work together to tackle the problem.

Roger Hirst, Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner said: “This is an exciting initiative and offers huge potential for us to work with businesses across Essex to create the safe and secure communities that allow all of us to thrive. By working together to tackle business crime we can share information that will hopefully prevent crimes from happening in the first place, saving businesses money and protecting peoples livelihoods.”

Denise Rossiter, chief executive of Essex Chambers of Commerce said: “Crimes against businesses are often thought of as being victimless crimes but they can have a serious impact on individuals and local communities and potentially lead to the closure of the business involved. I very much welcome this new initiative which is a first for the county and look forward to working in partnership with the Police and the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner to jointly tackle this issue”

B J Harrington, Chief Constable designate of Essex Police, added: “Working with businesses to help keep their staff and customers safe and to reduce crime that impacts upon them fits directly with Essex Police priorities. It is very exciting to start working with Essex Chambers of Commerce and I am sure that the businesses and communities of Essex will be safer as a result”