Swindon & Wiltshire News
Commissioner to speak at FSB crime conference
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon will have another chance to engage with the business community when he speaks at a Crime Against Business conference organised by the Federation of Small Businesses.
During the summer Angus Macpherson launched his first Business Crime Survey. The findings were debated at a Business Crime Forum which the Commissioner hosted in Devizes in September.
The chief constable, Pat Geenty, took part in the debate about how Wiltshire Police can best work with the business community to combat business crime and anti-social behaviour outside shops which can keep customers away.
Now Mr Macpherson has been invited to address the Somerset and Wiltshire members of the Federation of Small Businesses at Haynes Motor Museum in Sparkford, between Yeovil and Castle Cary, on Thursday 28 November from 4pm to 9pm.
Mr Macpherson said: “It was clear to me from listening to the audience at my Business Crime Forum that there is a common misconception that business crime is a victim-less crime.
“We heard from the owners of small businesses who were clearly very upset that they had been the victims of burglars or other criminals. They said that they felt just as violated as a householder.
“I am delighted to have another chance to engage with members of the business community by addressing the FSB conference because they play such an important part in the life of our cities, towns and villages – providing a wide range of goods and services as well as creating jobs and paying taxes.”
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon & Somerset, Sue Mountstevens, will also be speaking,
together with members of the Wiltshire Police complex fraud team and officers from Avon & Somerset Police.
Ian Dyer, Regional Chair of the FSB, said: “Crimes Against Businesses is part of our regional lobbying plan.
“Since the PCCs were elected, we have had the privilege of working closely with both Sue and Angus to raise the issues faced by small businesses in relation to crime.
“We hope that the conference will cement yet further this relationship and enable members to raise and address some of the concerns they may have directly.”
The conference is open to FSB members and non-members. For more information, email gioia.grobler@fsb.org.uk or call 01722 416045.
