SALISBURY has been chosen as the flagship location for a new partnership aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour and retail crime across Wiltshire.

The Salisbury Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) was launched at the Guildhall on Monday (November 10).

It will see the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner bring together Wiltshire Police, Salisbury BID, Salisbury City Council and Wiltshire Council to prevent and deter criminal activities and create a safer environment for shoppers, workers, and visitors to the city.

Wiltshire Police said the partnership marks a “significant step forward” in proactively dealing with crime and anti-social behaviour.

Philip Wilkinson, Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, is confident the BCRP will have a positive effect on the city.

“Retail crime is a key focus of my police and crime plan, and we have to recognise that it’s not just a business issue, it’s a community issue,” he said.

“It affects livelihoods, safety, and the vibrancy of our city and town centres. That’s why my office is committed to supporting the Salisbury BCRP, which bring together police, businesses, and local authorities to create safer spaces for everyone.”

READ MORE: 17 riverside homes approved at site of former children’s centre

READ MORE: Leaders condemn “damaging and short-sighted” plans to revoke Stonehenge tunnel planning permission

Businesses who sign up to the Salisbury BCRP will join existing members of Salisbury Business Improvement District (BID) in accessing technology known as DISC, which enables them to share information between BCRP members and makes it easier to report crime and anti-social behaviour to Wiltshire Police.

Dan Collins, business manager at Salisbury BID, said the move represents a major step forward for the city.

“It builds on years of investment and leadership from Salisbury’s business community, whose commitment has made this partnership possible,” he said.

“By combining real-time intelligence sharing, direct reporting through our online intelligence system and close collaboration with Wiltshire Police and our local authorities, we’re creating a safer, more resilient city centre.

“Salisbury is now setting the benchmark for the county, showing how businesses and partners can work together to reduce crime and protect our communities.”

Following the roll-out of the BCRP in Salisbury, the aim is to establish a BCRP in every neighbourhood policing area in Wiltshire and Swindon.

Chief inspector Ben Huggins from Wiltshire Police said: “The Salisbury Neighbourhood Policing Team remains firmly committed to supporting the Business Crime Reduction Partnership and addressing the challenges posed by business crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) within the local community.

“We recognise the significant impact these issues have not only on individual businesses but also on staff wellbeing, public confidence, and the wider community’s sense of safety.

“As we progress with our involvement with the Salisbury Business Crime Reduction Partnership, our focus is on intelligence led policing and consistent engagement with the retail sector.

“Through working together we want to show retailers increased confidence in reporting retail crime.”

One of the key focuses of the BCRP will be to reduce anti-social behaviour and low level crime through partnership work with local authorities and by addressing the root causes of ASB.

The launch of the BCRP was also used to mark the launch of the national Safer Business Action Week, a coordinated week of action where Business Crime Reduction Partnerships (BCRPs), BIDs and retailers join with the police and local authorities to target prolific offenders, provide crime prevention advice, and carry out high-visibility joint patrols.

In Salisbury, a week of a week of action involving patrols, preventative operations and a number of events are planned.