CHESHIRE'S Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) is backing a week of action being held to help businesses combat crime across the country.

The National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) is holding a week of action to combat business crime across the country Cheshire PCC John Dwyer is supporting the campaign and says he is 'committed to protecting Cheshire’s businesses'.

The business crime week of action sees police forces and organisations working together to carry out targeted operations, sharing educational material through social media and engagement with local businesses to raise awareness of business crime in the local area.

Mr Dwyer, said: “Businesses are a key part of communities and when they are targeted by criminals it can have a devastating impact on both the business and the surrounding area.

“As well as being a target for fraud, businesses can also be subject to theft and robbery with their staff coming face to face with criminals.

"Preventing and tackling crime is a priority in my Police and Crime Plan and I am committed to protecting Cheshire’s businesses.”

Businesses that trade on high streets or town centres are being encouraged to display the ShopKind messaging in their stores.

The ShopKind campaign aims to tackle abuse and violence against retail works by asking people to ShopKind when in stores.

ShopKind aims to encourage positive behaviours in shops, acknowledge the important role of shopworkers and highlight the scale and impact of violence and abuse against shopworkers.

Mr Dwyer added that the work is trying to help to stop fraud from abroad too.

He said: “In my Police and Crime Plan, I also talk about my commitment to continuing conversations with fraud agencies to ensure Cheshire’s businesses have the most reliable and up to date support available.

"Since so many fraud offences are carried out internationally, this means local action cannot be taken, making awareness the key to tackling this type of business crime.

“It is also important to me that I engage with local business networks to understand how crime affects them.

"I am currently working on a programme of events, alongside Cheshire Constabulary, to deliver advisory sessions to organisations and businesses across the county on key crime-related issues.”

For more information about the National Business Crime Centre or to download ShopKind materials, visit: nbcc.police.uk/business-support/shopkind/shopkind-webpage