Safer Business Action initiative against city-centre crime focused on the nighttime economy

Back to News

23 October 2024

For the first time Southampton’s Safer Business Action (SaBA) Week included a night-time initiative to focus on night-life related crime, in addition to the SaBA Day event.

Representatives from GO! Southampton, Southampton City Council,Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary and others were out in force last week to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in the city centre, sending out a strong message of support for both the day-time and night-time economy.

The National Business Crime Centre’s (NBCC) Safer Business Action Week (SaBA Week) held last week saw police and partners across the country joining together to tackle business crime in their communities.

The daytime event focused on identifying and targeting the top high-harm offenders in the city while simultaneously working to deter and prevent crime. The day saw a number of arrests of prolific offenders known to the police. One shoplifter was picked up for shoplifting from Co-op, and another known offender was picked up on Wednesday evening for shoplifting in Sainsburys and Waitrose.

A Dispersal Zone was in place from 7am for 48hrs, giving officers and PCSOs powers to direct a person to leave the city centre if they are engaged in anti-social behaviour. This focused approach in the city centre is to ensure crime is reduced and saw five dispersal orders issued (barring those individuals from entering the city centre).

For the first time there was also a boosted evening presence in the city by Operation Defender Partners, including HIOWC and GO! Southampton’s night-time security team, along with Synergy security , the Street Pastors, Police and SCC Licensing Officers, as well as two medics from SCAS. This additional focus over and above the usual weekend presence, underlines the importance of protecting residents and businesses in the areas that are associated with the night-time economy.

During the Saturday night patrol, eight dispersal orders were issued, three sexual offence arrests were made, one community resolution was issued for a minor assault on door staff and a weapon sweep was carried out with security staff, in which nothing was located.

Southampton Central Inspector Tim Williams said: “Ensuring that people feel safe in Southampton city centre, at any time of the day or night, is our key focus and we work tirelessly with our valued partners in the city on achieving this goal.

“A lot of hard work and care goes into ensuring the disruption of crime and the safety of those in the city, not only from policing but from Southampton City Council, GO! Southampton, South Central Ambulance Service, the Street Pastors and our many venues and security personnel.

“Our city centre unit are relentless in their pursuit of our most prolific offenders in the city centre, carrying out dedicated patrols and targeted operations, while working closely with local businesses to support them as much as they can. I welcome initiatives such as Safer Business Action, as it allows us the opportunity to showcase to the public everything that we are doing to keep them safe as they enjoy everything our city centre has to offer.

SaBA days are integral in communicating to the public that this work is ongoing. Jade McCauley Operations Manager at GO! Southampton said, “It was great to be out on Saturday night with our partners and the police. SaBA Week is a great example of how our security team offers assistance to police, as well as the Street Pastor team, and other businesses.

“Southampton has fantastic night-time economy and has been recognised for its safe environment via the city’s Purple Flag status. GO! Southampton is in the process of renewing our application and are hopeful for another positive outcome.”

Purple Flag which is similar to the Blue Flag for beaches, aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres between the hours of 5pm to 5am.

The action days serve as a vital component of the BID’s work through its Southampton Business Crime Partnership (SBCP) to create a safer working environment for Southampton’s businesses while enhancing the city’s appeal to residents and visitors alike. During the Action Days, GO! Southampton’s SBCP visited businesses in the day and night-time economy, providing advice about the support available to them including the BID radio scheme.

These form part of the National Business Crime Centre’s Safer Business Action Week, contributing to a nationwide effort to combat crime and anti-social behaviour. Partners collaborating alongside GO! Southampton and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary are local authority enforcement teams, trading standards, homeless outreach workers, Southampton City Council Welfare Wardens, businesses and private security to ensure a well-rounded approach to preventing crime.

Safer Business Action Week promises to be a collaborative and impactful effort, reinforcing the commitment to safety and crime reduction in the city centre.

Back to News