Members of the Business Improvement District in St Albans have been invited to join a new business crime taskforce.

The new St Albans Business Crime Partnership (SABCP) has been launched by the Business Improvement District (BID), Herts Police, and St Albans council and is open to companies from across the district to share information and best practices to stop crime and catch criminals.

BID’s business liaison manager Vanessa Sharp said: “This new body will give businesses a voice at the heart of Herts Police to ensure issues can be raised and business crime remains a high priority.

“We look forward to improving communication between businesses and making sure would-be criminals know St Albans is not for them.”

The BCP is funding upgrades in the CCTV room to facilitate communication between businesses and police and a new app will allow users to share information about crimes to stop repeat offences and help catch those responsible.

St Albans Ch Insp Stuart Cheek said: “We are glad to be part of the St Albans Business crime partnership. We know shoplifters are often involved in other crime, so by catching them in partnership with colleagues from St Albans BID and the council, we can keep our communities safer.

“This additional support adds resilience and with the increased technology with upgraded radios and CCTV, it makes a criminal’s life hard, which is great for policing.”

Joining is free for BID levy payers and the scheme will be governed by a board made up of St Albans BID staff and business representatives.

To find out about becoming a board member, email vanessa.sharp@stalbansbid.com