Safer Warwickshire partners are joining forces to support Safer Business Action (SaBA) Week 2026, which takes place the week commencing Monday 9 November.
Led nationally by the National Business Crime Centre (NBCC), the week forms part of a wider police and partnership response to tackling retail crime, anti-social behaviour, and other offences affecting businesses in our communities.
Throughout the week, partner agencies - including Warwickshire County Council’s Community Safety and Trading Standards teams, District and Borough Councils, Warwickshire Police, the Warwickshire Retail Crime Initiative (WRCI), and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) - will work collaboratively to tackle prolific offenders.
The partners will also provide crime prevention advice and conduct joint patrols across the county.
This year, SaBA Week is highlighting the importance of respect and kindness in retail environments by encouraging everyone to #ShopKind and support shopworkers who face violence and abuse.
Retailers can access free #ShopKind resources via the NBCC website: https://nbcc.police.uk/business-support/shopkind/ .
Residents are urged to report traders selling illegal products such as counterfeit alcohol and cigarettes. These activities harm legitimate businesses and put consumers at risk. Reports can be made to Warwickshire Trading Standards by calling 0808 223 1133.
Businesses across Warwickshire can access free and impartial advice on crime and Cyber Crime prevention through the Warwickshire Business Watch website: https://warwickshirebusinesswatch.co.uk/ .
The site offers guidance on preventing Cyber Crime and Terrorism, reporting routes for Business and Cyber Crime (including Action Fraud and Crimestoppers), and links to support agencies such as Trading Standards.
Warwickshire Business Watch is a collaborative initiative providing local businesses with targeted email alerts on recent criminal activity, expert crime prevention advice, deterrent resources like signage, updates on crime trends and legislation, and a quarterly newsletter with the latest developments.
Councillor Robert Gisbourne, Chair of the Safer Warwickshire Partnership Board (SWPB) and Warwickshire County Council Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, said:
“Our businesses, their employees and their customers all have an important part to play in creating safe and welcoming town centres across Warwickshire.
“Safer Business Action Week is an opportunity for partners and communities to stand together against retail crime, violence, abuse and anti-social behaviour. I encourage everyone visiting our shops to treat retail workers with the kindness and respect they deserve.
“Businesses can also strengthen their security by making use of the free advice and support available through Warwickshire Business Watch, while residents can help by reporting concerns about illegal trading to Warwickshire Trading Standards.”
Philip Seccombe, Police and Crime Commissioner for Warwickshire, said:
“Nobody should go to work expecting to face abuse, threats or violence, and that is why I am very pleased to support ShopKind and Safer Business Action Week again this year.
“The message to shoppers is a simple one: treat the people who serve you with kindness and respect. We can all play our part in making our shops and town centres welcoming places for the people who work in them and those who visit them.
“Alongside that message there must be meaningful action to prevent crime, support businesses and deal effectively with those who repeatedly cause harm.
“That is exactly what we are working to achieve through the Warwickshire Business and Retail Crime Reduction Partnership, bringing retailers, police, councils and other partners together to share information, identify problems and develop a more co-ordinated response.
“Retail crime is not victimless. It affects staff, businesses and the wider communities they serve. By combining the national focus of this week with the partnership work taking place throughout the year, we can help make Warwickshire’s shops and town centres safer places to work, visit and do business.”
For more information, visit: https://warwickshirebusinesswatch.co.uk/ .