A BUSINESS organisation has received a prestigious award recognising the work it carries out to combat crime in High Wycombe town centre.

The High Wycombe Business Improvement District Company has received the Safer Business Award from the Association of Business Crime Partnerships (ABCP) for its security partnership, Safe and Secure.

The security partnership oversees the security radio and restorative justice schemes to combat shoplifting and fraud. It also incorporates work in the night-time economy to combat disturbances in the town.

David Burr, HWBIDCo board member, said: “The Safer Business Award is in recognition of the hard work that HWBIDCo has committed to reducing business crime in the town centre.

“Without the structure of the BID this would just not be possible.

“To be given the accreditation with distinction shows we recognise the importance of under-pinning our actions on the street with policies and processes that protect the interests of us and our partners.

“We also actively share intelligence regionally that is helping our businesses combat travelling offenders.”

The award follows the retention of High Wycombe’s Purple Flag - which is presented to towns which offer a good and safe night out. HWBIDCo also oversees the Purple Flag accreditation process.

For more information about the security partnership or the work of the BIDCo visit www.hwbidco.co.uk