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See other news stories£5m to help small retailers protect against crime
6 August 2009
A new grants programme of £5m will help small businesses protect themselves against crime.
The funding is part of the new retail crime action plan (RCAP), which has been drawn up in partnership with the retail industry to help small businesses prevent crime.
The money will provide grants of up to £3000 per individual business in 50 key areas, and can be used to buy security devices such as alarms, UV markers, and security grills. Groups of businesses in a certain area, such as a parade of shops, can also team up to bid for bigger grants of up to £50K. These can be used to improve a neighbourhood with landscaping or additional lighting.
New online security questionnaire
The action plan also includes a new online questionnaire, which lets you assess how secure your business is. The tool, which has been developed by crime prevention experts, also provides advice on simple things you can do to improve the security of your business, and who you can contact for more help.
Take our online questionnaire to find out how secure your business is
Home Office Minister Alan Campbell said, ‘Small businesses play a vital role in our communities and I am determined to ensure that small businesses are not taken advantage of during these hard economic times.’
‘The government is committed to working with industry and police to tackle the crimes that affect them such as shoplifting, anti-social behaviour and robbery, particularly during this economic downturn.’
How to apply for a grant
Retailers can bid for grants from an expert grants administrator (new window), with the fund opening in mid August.
Good design to prevent crime
We will also be launching a competition in September for designers to find new ways to stop criminals from targeting retailers by ‘designing out’ crime opportunities.
