Partnerships fighting business and retail crime in Sussex
This week marks the second Business Crime Reduction Partnership Awareness Week
Last updated 22nd Mar 2026
This week marks the second Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) Awareness Week, focusing on reducing retail crime and the anti-social behaviour linked to it.
Nationally, BCRPs work closely with retailers, hospitality and night‑time economy businesses, police, police & crime commissioners, local authorities, community safety teams and other agencies. By sharing intelligence on prolific offenders, deterring anti-social behaviour and supporting police investigations, they help reduce crime and keep both businesses and the public safe.
In Sussex, BCRPs operate across the county. This week, they will all be visibly stepping up activity to highlight their work tackling business and retail crime.
Throughout the week, dedicated operations are running countywide and our Sussex Police Business Crime Team will be engaging with businesses across Brighton & Hove, Eastbourne and Chichester, to encourage reporting and better understand the barriers facing retailers.
Speaking about the importance of the week, Police and Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne, said: “BCRPs play a crucial role in linking businesses and retailers with the police to prevent crime. Shop theft is not just a matter of lost goods and the cost to the retailer, it can come with increased anti-social behaviour, violence towards shopworkers and customers retreating from the high street.”
“That’s why we take retail crime seriously in Sussex and why I’m delighted to report a 69% decrease in violence and assaults against shop staff in Sussex during 2024–2025 - a clear result of partners working effectively every day.”
Award-winning partnership working in Sussex
Recently, Nick Strickland, Field Officer at the Brighton & Hove BCRP, received a High Sheriff’s Award for his exceptional work supporting a case involving a prolific offender sentenced to three years in prison for four business burglaries totalling nearly £100,000.
Nick’s detailed knowledge of local offenders and the wider business community helped identify the individual in partnership with Sussex Police, providing crucial intelligence that supported the prosecution.
Speaking about the award, Lisa Perretta, Brighton BCRP Manager said: “Congratulations to Nick on this well-deserved High Sheriff Award. Nick’s determination and commitment to justice not only identified the offender but ensured a custodial sentence was secured. An outstanding achievement and a real credit to the work Nick delivers across the city of Brighton & Hove.”
This week, Lisa and her team have conducted intensive activity to raise vital awareness of their work. This includes enhanced Operation Apprentice (tackling shop theft) patrols in the city centre, bystander training for businesses and joining PCC Katy Bourne at the National Retail Crime Forum chaired by the Policing Minister in the Home Office.
PCC Bourne continued: “I would also like to congratulate Nick on his recent High Sheriff’s Award. I’ve been out in Brighton city centre with Nick many times and am always impressed by his professionalism, knowledge and passion to prevent shop theft. He is a credit to the BCRP, an asset for the city and an example to us all.”