Business Watch

The Neighbourhood Network work with numerous retailers/businesses across Hull to support Business Watch areas across the city. Successful Business Watch schemes are a collaboration between the businesses / retail outlets and community safety agencies, tasked with keeping you safe.

Clear communication is also key to a successful Business Watch, with key issues and solutions discussed by all involved.

The Neighbourhood Network can support with the administration and set up of a scheme, supply of FREE signs and stickers and support coordinators with communication needs.

There are 6 phases to setting up a Business Watch scheme, these include:

Phase 1

Identify an area to survey in relation to the set up and support of a Business Watch scheme

Phase 2

Collate business names, addresses in the selected Business Watch scheme area.

Phase 3

With the support of the local policing team, design a questionnaire for businesses in the selected area on crime. Questions will include type and frequency of criminal activity, current relationship with the policing team, past experiences, what they would like to see to improve the area.

Phase 4

Completion of the business crime survey – Approach all businesses within the identified area to complete the survey. In order to maximise responses the survey will be monitored with a computerised system i.e., Survey Monkey providing paper surveys on request.

Phase 5

Analysing of survey results –  Identify appropriate solution(s) from the survey results.

Phase 6

Implementation of suggested solutions – From the consultation process it is hoped that a solution can be implemented and piloted to alleviate issues, this could include setting up a communication system, business watch meetings, crime prevention surveys on businesses, making sure all business employees are fully aware on reporting crime. Sustainably and longevity of the scheme will be at the fore-front when deciding what methods to implement, so that the scheme can continue after initial set up.

If you would like to setup a Business Watch scheme, please contact the Neighbourhood Network team by emailing office@nnetwork.org.uk or by calling Tel: 01482 826061.