The last few years have been turbulent for business. There was, of course, the pandemic and then the cost-of-living crisis as countries from around the world emerged from lockdowns.

Traders in Devon and Cornwall are, I am pleased to report, a resilient bunch, with the number of companies recorded in both Devon and Cornwall increasing to record highs in recent years.

Mostly small and medium sized firms, these organisations are the life-blood of our communities, providing employment, innovation, training and aspiration. And our celebrated agricultural sector literally puts food on the table.

It is often sole traders who can provide a regenerative spark which is required across so many of our town and city centres.

Yet too often agencies are failing to protect these vital organisations.

Shopkeepers I speak to complain of an epidemic of shoplifting which eats into their profits. Their staff are often afraid to confront the culprits. Legitimate traders are undermined by those who put others at risk by selling counterfeit or black-market goods. Farmers and others who work in our rural economy have tools and equipment stolen by organised crime gangs, and our beautiful part of the world is too often marred by flytippers who undercut licenced waste disposal firms.

While hard work across agencies has resulted in less recorded crime here than in most other police force areas, there has been a rise in theft offences, according to the Office of National Statistics.

That’s why I am proposing to include a focus on theft in my Police and Crime Plan for 2025-29. The plan sets out the strategic direction for policing and my efforts to reduce reoffending.

Police, of course, have a part to play, but partnership is the key to protecting our businesses. This week Safer Business Action (SaBA) events will be taking place around the country. I will be presenting my vision of greater protection for businesses at the South West Business Crime Expo in Exeter. Organised by the South West Business Crime Centre and sponsored by me. This is free to attend is focussed on tackling retail, rural and hospitality crime. Present will be companies and law enforcement organisations who can offer the latest advice and support to companies who want to protect their people and their profits.  

Working in partnerships like these, with a wide variety of agencies, the community and voluntary sectors, is a huge part of the work of my office. Many of these partners do not get the recognition that they deserve and quietly get on with their vital roles often unseen and uncelebrated by the communities that they are supporting. Last week it was my privilege to be asked to attend the awards ceremony for Trading Standards South West as part of their annual conference. 

There were many examples of outstanding work by trading standards officers, relating to animal health and welfare, counterfeit goods, fraud, underage sales of restricted products and complex food standards investigations.

These highly skilled officers work closely with policing colleagues both in their local communities but on wider more complex investigations with our Regional and Organised Crime Unit. These are people who everyday are protecting the public from unsafe and illegal practices which damage out local economy and are often gateway crimes into much more widespread criminality and organised crime. 

I am proud to say that the winner of the partnership working award for the whole of the region was presented to a Police Community Support Officer in West Cornwall, Emil Gabriele, for his outstanding partnership working with Trading Standards and he is a real credit to this community.

Being a victim of a scam is significantly underreported in the UK but it has serious consequences for individuals and businesses. National Trading Standards runs a scheme called Friends against Scams. which aims to protect and prevent people by empowering them. By signing up through its website you can get access as an individual or a business to help protect yourself.   

Emotional and practical support for victims of crime is also available through the victim services I commission, see victimcare-dc.org or call 01392 475900.

So, while there are people who will seek to target businesses and individuals, there is a lot of help and support available too.

There is still time to comment on my draft police and crime plan. Visit my office website or call the team on 01392 555522.