The Conservative candidate for West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner has said a “new front” needs to be opened to tackle crimes against local businesses and entrepreneurs.
John Campion made the call after meeting with Worcestershire MP and Business Secretary, Sajid Javid, to discuss crime statistics which show nearly 14,000 offences committed against West Mercia businesses in one year.
Types of offences considered ‘business crime’ include theft, burglary, criminal damage and arson, with over half of the offences in West Mercia refusing to fall according to the year-on-year figures.
Mr Campion has said key to bringing down the figure is improving police visibility and ensuring specialist officers are available to investigate and to bring offenders to justice.
John Campion said: “We are seeing some progress with shoplifting falling but that is not enough with most business crime levels staying static; a new front needs to be opened up against crime in the wider business community.
“A burglary or cyber-attack on a business can both devastate people’s livelihoods and hurt the growing local economy enjoyed since David Cameron became Prime Minister.
“I would work to ensure more police are visible in our business parks and trading estates and specialist officers are available to deal swiftly with the crimes and those responsible brought to justice.”
“I’m glad to have the Business Secretary’s support for my plan to divert more resources to tackle this sort of crime with our meeting very productive.”
Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, Business Secretary commented after the meeting, "Business crime hurts the economy and from talking to John Campion, I know he has a plan to deal with the problem and this is important for business in West Mercia. The Government will also play its part, including doubling its funding to fight cybercrime.”