The Hastings Area Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) 2024 Annual Report outlines the efforts and achievements of the organization in reducing crime among its 360 registered member businesses. Supported by the Love Hastings Business Improvement District and funded partially by a £6,500 annual grant from the Safer Hastings Partnership, the BCRP offers its services free to local businesses. The group utilizes a robust infrastructure that includes 28 CCTV cameras and a 4G radio network to monitor and respond to crime effectively.
In 2024, the BCRP responded to over 250 police requests for CCTV footage, aiding investigations and enhancing crime reporting. The adoption of the NICE system for footage uploads streamlined this process. The radio system’s functionality, including text and image messaging, has increased member engagement and operational efficiency. Collaborations with Sussex Police resulted in higher prosecution rates and significant sentences for repeat offenders.
Key metrics showed remarkable improvements year over year. Incident reporting more than doubled, and crime reporting saw an 850% increase from December 2024 to January 2025 compared to the previous year. Membership logins rose by 33%, indicating heightened participation despite a streamlined user base reduced to approximately 400 active accounts.
The report highlights theft as the most common incident, followed by verbal abuse. While violence remains rare, monthly incidents occur, except for November. Financial losses totaled over £70,000, though underreporting persists, with some businesses estimated to suffer significantly higher losses.
A notable collaboration with an external retailer group contributed to increased incident reporting. Despite initial challenges, training improved the accuracy and utility of reports. Over 400 crimes were submitted to Sussex Police via the DISC system, with new procedures introduced in January 2025 to consolidate cases by repeat offenders for more efficient investigation.
The database currently tracks 288 known offenders, with 461 unnamed suspects requiring identification. Throughout the year, over 300 intelligence reports were submitted, facilitating the resolution of cases and the addition of new suspects to the database.
In conclusion, the Hastings BCRP has made substantial progress in leveraging technology and partnerships to reduce crime, improve reporting, and support law enforcement. These efforts reflect a growing commitment from local businesses and the broader community to enhance safety and security.