Shops and business are often targeted by criminals who see an easy opportunity to obtain goods.  Businesses are also frequently subjected to other problems such as vandalism, criminal damage and anti-social behaviour, as well as shoplifting.  It is acknowledged that a significant proportion of shop theft happens because the perpetrators are stealing to feed drug habits.

There are different ways in which shops and business can work together to prevent this problem.  There are a number of Business Watch schemes operating across the district.  You can find out more information by contacting one of the Crime Reduction Officers at Cambridgeshire Constabulary on 0845 456 4564.

Huntingdonshire Business Against Crime (HBAC)

"We’ve got bad news for criminals who target business in Huntingdon"

HBAC is a crime busting initiative that was launched in March 2004 to help businesses in Huntingdon,to beat thieves.  The scheme which received funding from Go-East (Government Office for the East of England) has also been supported by the Huntingdonshire Community Safety Partnership, and has recently been extended to cover St Ives and St Neots will also be part of the scheme shortly.

The scheme is the first of its kind in the County using a sophisticated information-sharing database system which works together with radio links and CCTV to help traders tackle shop lifting, anti-social behaviour and incidents of crime as well as increasing the number of exclusion notices.

Close links have been forged with Cambridgeshire Constabulary who provide information about known offenders which is relayed to traders, enabling them to recognise persistent offenders.

You can contact HBAC on 01480 457579.