How BIDs deliver safer trading environments

I am delighted to announce that we are now working in partnership with the Scottish Business Crime Centre (SBCC) on projects and services to make towns and business parks safer places for business.

The SBCC provides practical advice for the business and commercial sectors on how to develop business crime reduction and prevention strategies and demonstrates a unique partnership approach, with the police, business community and government all collaborating to further develop the aims of the SBCC – an approach that is shared by the BID model.

As a proven, business-led initiative, a BID allows businesses to work together and invest collectively in local improvements to their business environments with tackling safety and security often being of paramount importance. A BID can also act as the vehicle to bring together different partner groups and develop a strong locally based private – public partnership.

BIDs projects can include expanding CCTV systems, introducing crime radio systems, employing ambassadors and taxi marshals to work with the local police and providing crime prevention advice.

We at BIDS intend to work very closely with the SBCC to develop packages of measures which can be adopted by all towns and business parks across Scotland who are operating a BID.

A number of towns currently working with us are not aware of the SBCC and through this new partnership we can assist them in delivering safety and security projects.

Poor safety and security can act as real barriers to business development and to an area’s economic growth. Therefore it is vital that these are tackled in a robust and effective way.