HBAC has followed “best practice” guidelines and protocols introduced in many other towns and cities. This best practice is led by the National Organisation National Association of Business Crime (NABCP).
HBAC has achieved the Safer Business Award issued by AABC indicating the scheme has achieved the national standard for management of business crime partnerships.
Membership network
HBAC has business members in Huntingdon, St Ives and St Neots. The strength of the network has grown with the increase in the number of towns taking part and the number of members. Gathering and sharing information on crimes and incidents has brought benefits to all members and partner organisations. See Benefits to Business for key partner organisations.
HBAC database
HBAC has invested in an off the shelf specialist crime database supplied by HICOM. The database is used to track known offenders. Information is collated from HBAC members and HBAC partners. This information is then shared with the specific intention to prevent and detect crime.
To collate information from members for the database HBAC has a reporting form. Please click on the PDF Link.
This is NOT a substitute for reporting serious incidents to the Police. Cambridgeshire Constabulary non-emergency number is 101. Please use the HBAC form to report crimes & incidents (already reported to the Police), sightings of excluded persons, criminal damage, anti-social behaviour and other crime related issues.
Two way radios
HBAC manages the two way radios which link to all other members, CCTV control room and the police. HBAC membership gives access to the radio scheme. Radios are provided by ShopSafe radio. See Two Way Radios
Police photographs of known offenders
Police photographs of known offenders are circulated to HBAC members under strict guidelines. The photographs, used for the prevention and detection of crime, are updated every three months. Information is shared across the three towns.
HBAC Exclusion Notices
Exclusion notice schemes are an effective means of managing offenders and ensuring that they are deterred from committing crime. There is a normal invitation by retailers, which allows members of the public to enter their premises and either view or buy the merchandise on display. An exclusion notice withdraws that invitation. HBAC issues exclusion notices on behalf of its individual members, not only excluding offenders from their business, but also from all other Huntingdonshire Business Against Crime members’ premises. Some retailers already operate similar notices, but only in relation to their own businesses.
Media coverage
HBAC invests in press coverage and PR opportunities to inform residents of Huntingdon, St Ives and St Neots that work is on-going to make the towns safer places to live work and shop. HBAC is keen to promote the successes achieved by members and partnership organisations.
Communication
- HBAC web site
- HBAC newsletters for members only
- HBAC leaflets promoting the scheme to new members
- HBAC door/window stickers denoting commitment and inclusion in the scheme.
DISC
DISC is a recent addition to the HBAC crime fighting toolkit. Providing 24/7 access to all information regarding the HBAC scheme, banned individuals, current crime trends, individuals wanted by Cambridgeshire Constabulary, good news stories and up to date events to benefit your business in the local area.
Access to the system is part of the HBAC members and a member of the HBAC team will be on hand to train your staff on how to get the very best out of the scheme. Visit DISC here.