OFFICERS from the Safer Neighbourhood Team joined with Kidderminster businesses to launch their Business Watch initiative.

Business Watch sees local organisations join together in a social media group chat to help owners spot early signs of business crime and provide intel to police officers.

The group chat is administrated and run by the local businesses where intel is passed on to the local safer neighbourhood team. 

Hoo Farm industrial estate in Kidderminster has approximately 90 businesses on-site, with almost 95 per cent of them have already signed up for the scheme. 

Sergeant Andy Jones, Kidderminster Safer Neighbourhood Team explains: "It's incredibly important for us to build strong networks with local businesses to ensure we are providing an accessible avenue for people to inform us of their concerns around business crime.

"By launching Business Watch we hope to increase trust and confidence with the police and businesses in Kidderminster, build a crime vigilant community in partnership with the local officers, and create a safer environment for everyone."

The intelligence shared in the social media group chat will be used to inform local policing activity such as high visibility patrols, investigations and administering crime prevention.

Police Crime Commissioner John Campion, said: "I am pleased to see this scheme expanding into Kidderminster and helping to a create a safer West Mercia for business owners and residents alike."