New bid to keep criminals at bay

People in Renfrewshire are being urged to help protect local businesses as part of a new campaign to stop criminals targeting commercial outlets during the pandemic.

With the lockdown slowly easing whilst the pandemic is still active, Crimestoppers Scotland is using the opportunity to connect with communities and companies by appealing for people to report anonymously what they know about crime against businesses in their area.

As local shops and businesses try to cope with the devastating financial impact of the pandemic, the last costly disruption they need is having premises ransacked, with essential items or equipment damaged or stolen.

It’s not just break-ins that affects businesses.

Fly- tipping and fireraising can seriously impact a company’s ability to reopen.

For some, it could be the final straw.

Crimestoppers hav e l au n c h e d the #ClosedtoCrime campaign, which aims to raise awareness and drive people to report what they know about crime against local businesses, from shops to company premises, factories to warehouses.

They play a crucial role in the fabric of society – indeed, many staff in these businesses are now classed as key workers providing essential services.

Rodger Holden, director of business development at the charity Crimestoppers, said: “Local businesses play an essential role.

“But as shops, warehouses and factories are closed or struggling to return to normal due to the pandemic, criminals are exploiting the crisis by breaking in to commercial premises. If you know something, please tell us what you know whilst staying 100 per cent anonymous.”

Information received by Crimestoppers has helped stop planned break- ins, made communities safer and brought people to justice.

You can call its 24/ 7 UK contact centre on freephone 0800 555 111.