Business Crime Direct team member, Peter Jones, appeared on Radio Merseyside yesterday, talking about BCD’s continuing work and the wider state of crime prevention in the region. Topics covered included:

• Licensees had a fairly quiet Christmas and New Year. They fear that with the new Licensing Laws allowing local suburban pubs to stay open late, customers are reluctant to come to town where they fear being ripped off getting home by cherry-picking taxi drivers.
• No major outbreaks of violence, in fact 400 crimes less in December than in December 05.
• 26% reduction in crime of theft from shop during the Christmas shopping period in city centre.
• Police & BCD Partnerships continuing to see results
• Crime trends are down but for those that still persist in offending are increasingly violent
• Training for security staff in use of restraints due to an increase in violent offenders. Using ACPO approved trainers, certification, insurance etc
• Commercial district trailing radio network communications
• Increase in robberies at jewellers in city centres in North of England but not in Liverpool (MO - Three males, evidence they may be of eastern European origin, firearms & hammers, target all jewellery but focus seems to be on expensive watches).

Turn on, tune in, don’t have nightmares!

Listen to an MP3 of the interview here.