Yeovil receives national accreditation

Designed to make city centres safer for businesses and employees, there are over 250 Business Crime Reduction Partnerships (BCRP) in the UK. Yeovil Crime Reduction Team works across Yeovil and surrounding areas of Somerset and Dorset to reduce crime, anti-social behaviour, and harm in the town centres and communities. It brings together retailers, licensed premises, local authorities, police, support services, and community partners to share information, prevent crime, and respond quickly and effectively when issues arise.

Yeovil Crime Reduction Team operates accredited Shopwatch and Pubwatch schemes and uses the DISC information-sharing system to help identify repeat offenders, protect businesses and staff, and reduce risk.

Yeovil Crime Reduction Team recognises that crime and anti-social behaviour are often linked to wider challenges such as mental health needs, substance misuse, homelessness, domestic abuse, or barriers to support. Alongside prevention and enforcement, it works with partner agencies to address these underlying issues wherever possible, aiming to break cycles of repeat offending and reduce social exclusion.

The national standards accreditation provides a benchmark of achievement and success, helping to give reassurance to businesses, police and other stakeholders that the partnership is working and provides good value for money.

Gareth Williams, Yeovil Crime Reduction Team, said: "Achieving the National Standards Accreditation from Police Crime Prevention Initiatives is a significant milestone for Yeovil Crime Reduction Team and one that everyone involved in the partnership can be extremely proud of. This accreditation recognises the dedication, professionalism and collaborative approach of our members, volunteers and partner organisations, who work tirelessly to make our town centres and communities safer."

Rose Green, Neighbourhood Inspector from Avon and Somerset Police, said: “Congratulations to the Yeovil Crime Reduction Team on achieving this national accreditation. This recognition reflects the dedication, and strong partnership working that has developed between local businesses, the police and our wider community partners.

“We greatly value the work of the Yeovil Crime Reduction Team and enjoy working alongside them to identify issues early, share information effectively and take positive action to keep people safe. Their accreditation provides further reassurance that this partnership is delivering benefits for businesses, and the wider community.

“We look forward to continuing our close working relationship as we tackle key issues affecting our town, including retail crime, anti-social behaviour and repeat offending. By working together, we can build safer and more resilient communities across Yeovil and the surrounding areas”.

Sophie Jordan, National Association of Business Crime Partnerships, said: “During last year’s BCRP Awareness Week, we saw first hand Yeovil’s proactive, community centred approach to reducing crime. The Partnership’s visible, day to day engagement, strong relationships with local businesses and agencies, and deep understanding of repeat offenders enable early intervention and effective support.

“Achieving accreditation provides independent assurance of the Partnership’s governance, effectiveness, and value for money, as well as its robust information sharing and data protection practices. Yeovil continues to demonstrate excellence in crime reduction through strong leadership, collaboration, and high quality service delivery, with several areas of best practice exceeding the required standard. We are delighted to celebrate their achievement.”

Amanda Mulholland from Police CPI said: “Congratulations to Yeovil Crime Reduction Team on their accreditation. Achieving this is a significant challenge for any crime reduction partnership, and their success shows a strong commitment to creating safer environments for customers and staff. Their work not only improves safety but also boosts the commercial prospects for local businesses”.

Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) accreditation

The accreditation process is based on a set of standards owned by the National Business Crime Centre (NBCC).

The standards include good management practices and procedures such as membership agreements, data security and compliance with current legislation. It includes having robust information for members and partner organisations that is up to date as well as making it easily accessible 24/7. For some BCRPs, the standards will include the use of CCTV and radio links with members.

The aim is to recognise good practice and professionalism to ensure BCRPs are functioning in an ethical manner and within the law, specifically checks to ensure compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation.

It is expected that accreditation will enhance the level of partnership working nationally and encourage continued, significant, national business investment in BCRPs. In addition, the intention is that it will provide reassurance to Police Forces that data shared with BCRP partner organisations will be utilised in a responsible manner to reduce criminal activity.

Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (Police CPI), who run the Secured by Design initiative, is the accreditation body for BCRPs. The accreditation process is based on a set of standards owned by the National Business Crime Centre (NBCC).

Find out more about the BCRP National Standards here.