31 March 2011
Waveney MP attended the first meeting of the new parliamentary group established to tackle crimes committed against small shops and businesses in the community on Tuesday 29th March.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Retail & Business Crime (APPG-RBC) has formed out of a recognition that more needs to be done to tackle crimes committed against the most vulnerable, often family-owned, businesses at the hearts of our communities and across the UK.
Last year saw an unprecedented increase in levels of shoplifting (which has put many a shop out of business and yet remains considered a ‘victimless crime’); and murders and assaults of shopkeepers in the process of a robbery. Local independent businesses are under threat from anti-social behaviour and the group will ensure that the issue is given appropriate parliamentary consideration.
Mr Aldous said:
“I am glad to be a member of this important committee. Retailers and businesses are at the centre of most flourishing neighbourhoods, providing jobs and, vital on the door-step local services.”
Retail and business crime has a corrosive effect on communities often supporting and maintaining drug dependence, alcohol misuse, anti-social behaviour and violence and reducing the economic viability of businesses. The common perception of crime in retail premises as ‘victimless’ couldn’t be further from the truth. I look forward to directly inputting to this Committee the experiences, concerns and suggestions of Waveney retail and business.”
The group is supported by the National Business Crime Forum (NBCF) - an umbrella organization that brings together national business representative organisations – such as the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC); the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB); the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS); the National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN) – with regional business crime forums across the UK (including those in Wales, the West Midlands and the South East); and ACPO in order to communicate in a cohesive way with the Home Office.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Retail & Business Crime (APPG-RBC) has formed out of a recognition that more needs to be done to tackle crimes committed against the most vulnerable, often family-owned, businesses at the hearts of our communities and across the UK.
Last year saw an unprecedented increase in levels of shoplifting (which has put many a shop out of business and yet remains considered a ‘victimless crime’); and murders and assaults of shopkeepers in the process of a robbery. Local independent businesses are under threat from anti-social behaviour and the group will ensure that the issue is given appropriate parliamentary consideration.
Mr Aldous said:
“I am glad to be a member of this important committee. Retailers and businesses are at the centre of most flourishing neighbourhoods, providing jobs and, vital on the door-step local services.”
Retail and business crime has a corrosive effect on communities often supporting and maintaining drug dependence, alcohol misuse, anti-social behaviour and violence and reducing the economic viability of businesses. The common perception of crime in retail premises as ‘victimless’ couldn’t be further from the truth. I look forward to directly inputting to this Committee the experiences, concerns and suggestions of Waveney retail and business.”
The group is supported by the National Business Crime Forum (NBCF) - an umbrella organization that brings together national business representative organisations – such as the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC); the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB); the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS); the National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN) – with regional business crime forums across the UK (including those in Wales, the West Midlands and the South East); and ACPO in order to communicate in a cohesive way with the Home Office.
