Author: Carolyn Brownell

Tackling Retail Crime Together: National Strategy Unites Police, Retailers and Partners

Written by Carolyn Brownell on . Posted in Uncategorized.

FOR Cardiff welcomes the announcement of the new National Retail Crime Strategy, a collaborative effort designed to tackle retail crime across the UK.

Retail crime is a complex, shared challenge that demands a partnership approach involving the police, retailers, Business Crime Reduction Partnerships (BCRPs), and other crime prevention organisations. Endorsed by the Home Office and led by the National Retail Crime Forum, the strategy provides a new blueprint to help deliver a safe, vibrant, and thriving retail sector for communities nationwide.

The Tackling Retail Crime Together strategy highlights the critical role of Business Crime Reduction Partnerships in implementing effective crime prevention standards.

At a local level, FOR Cardiff hosts the Cardiff Against Business Crime (CABC) partnership, a network of local businesses and agencies working together to reduce business crime and make Cardiff a safer place for everyone.

Cliff Vanstone, Chair of CABC and Manager of John Lewis Cardiff, said:
“The businesses we represent through CABC (Cardiff Against Business Crime) and those that actively work on and support this Partnership have played a significant role in ensuring our collective concerns are being heard. Along with working collaboratively with local authority, the Police, and community charities within our city, all have contributed to both creating awareness and renewed vigour in ensuring our city is a safe one to both work and live in.”

Inspector Adrian Snook of South Wales Police added: “South Wales Police are committed to tackling retail crime and protecting shopworkers, within the city centre we have seen a 40% decrease in shoplifting offences year to date. Working with our partners in Community Safety and the Crown Prosecution Service the first Criminal Protection Order has been issued against a repeat city centre shoplifter to prevent him from committing further offences. We will be taking this approach with other repeat offenders.”

To read the full strategy and learn more, visit the Tackling Retail Crime Together | National Business Crime Centre.

For more information about Cardiff Against Business Crime, Email cabc@forcardiff.com.

Cardiff Against Business Crime renews National Standards Accreditation

Written by Carolyn Brownell on . Posted in News.

Cardiff Against Business Crime renews National Standards Accreditation

Cardiff Against Business Crime (CABC), a Business Crime Reduction Partnership operating within FOR Cardiff, has successfully renewed its National Standards Accreditation. This accreditation recognises the partnership’s continued effectiveness in reducing business-related crime and its commitment to delivering tangible benefits for the local business community in Cardiff city centre.

The renewal highlights CABC’s strong record in partnership working, compliance, and operational effectiveness — essential elements in maintaining a safe and thriving city centre.

CABC provides its members with vital tools, intelligence, and support to help prevent, detect, and reduce business crime. By working collaboratively with businesses, law enforcement, and other stakeholders, the partnership plays a key role in making Cardiff a safer, more welcoming place for everyone.

This achievement underscores CABC’s ongoing dedication to building a secure trading environment and supporting a resilient, confident business community.

Representatives from UK’s flagship high streets call for urgent action on safer high streets – warning Government promises risk falling short

Written by Carolyn Brownell on . Posted in News.

Representatives from UK’s flagship high streets call for urgent action on safer high streets – warning Government promises risk falling short
  • High Streets UK warns that, without urgent reform, current systems cannot deliver on Government ambitions to tackle high street crime.  
  • The group has published a four-point policy proposal, including ringfenced policing for flagship destinations; criminal justice reform; a coordinated crackdown on international organised crime; and national framework for business crime reporting.  
  • High Streets UK is a pro-growth, nationwide partnership of flagship high streets, representing 5,000+ businesses, contributing £50 billion in GVA annually.  
  • The Safer High Streets Forum is the second quarterly meeting since the group’s launch, building on its work to shape government policy and unlock growth.  

London, 5th June 2025 –Following this week’s Safer High Streets Forum in London, High Streets UK has set out a four-point policy proposal to urgently tackle prolific offending, business crime, anti-social behaviour, and organised criminal activity taking place on the UK’s flagship high streets. 

Recent Government commitments on retail crime – including reprioritising shoplifting and making assaulting a retail worker a standalone offence – are welcome acknowledgements of unprecedented levels of loss from customer theft, which have soared to £2 billion,1 and escalating violence against shop staff. 

However, High Streets UK warns that criminal justice infrastructure, police funding and strategic prioritisation of other crime categories must be urgently reviewed if the crime plaguing our high streets is to be meaningfully and holistically tackled. 

The group’s key recommendations include:  

  1.  Ringfenced policing uplift in and around flagship high streets;
  2.  Developing a clear plan for criminal justice system reform, including strengthened provisions around Criminal Behaviour Orders;
  3.  A coordinated, nationwide multi-agency approach to tackling organised crime;
  4.  Pilot a standardised, nationwide framework for businesses to report crime.

Carolyn Brownell, Executive Director at FOR Cardiff stated that:  

“FOR Cardiff delivers the Cardiff Against Business Crime (CABC) partnership and works closely with local stake holders including South Wales Police to address crime in the city centre. These are national issues faced by cities up and down the country and, if adopted, the policy recommendations set out by High Streets UK would provide real support to address the roots of these problems. These policies would support high streets and help to keep retail workers safe, in Cardiff and across the UK.” 

The second High Streets UK Forum builds on the group’s previous work to shape government policy on business rates reform, with calls for urgent reform to protect physical high street locations from disproportionate tax burdens. It also forms part of High Streets UK’s broader mission to unlock the growth potential of flagship high streets and ensure they are socially inclusive, welcoming and resilient. 

CARDIFF RETAINS ‘PURPLE FLAG’ STATUS FOR ITS ‘DYNAMIC, SECURE & VIBRANT’ NIGHT-TIME ECONOMY

Written by Carolyn Brownell on . Posted in News.

For the seventh consecutive year, Cardiff has received Purple Flag accreditation in recognition of its commitment to creating a dynamic, secure, and vibrant evening and night-time economy for all.

Purple Flag – similar to the Blue Flag for beaches – aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres between 5 pm and 5 am. The award highlights Cardiff’s blend of entertainment, dining, and culture while recognising its commitment to safety and well-being.

Cardiff has held Purple Flag status since 2019, with successful renewal reflecting strong collaboration between key partners, including FOR Cardiff (the Business Improvement District (BID) of Cardiff city centre), South Wales Police, Cardiff Council, British Transport Police, and the Cardiff Licensees Forum.

FOR Cardiff Executive Director, Carolyn Brownell, said: “We are thrilled that Cardiff has retained its Purple Flag stats, a celebrated symbol of the city’s vibrant evening and nightlife. This continued recognition highlights our ongoing commitment to a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable night-time economy for all – but also the strength of our partnership work here in the Welsh capital.”

Key successes in Cardiff’s 2025 submission included its robust partnership work, a well-established welfare ecosystem, and crucial safety initiatives such as the Alcohol Treatment Centre, Street Marshals, and the Safety Bus – as well as the recent work undertaken to promote alcohol free options and events in the city centre.

FOR Cardiff supported the launch of the the ‘My Drink, My Choice’ campaign with the aim of promoting alcohol-free events in the city centre and challenging ‘sober shaming’—where young people may feel pressured to drink. This initiative aligns with an increasing trend among young people around the UK choosing low- or no-alcohol alternatives.

With Cardiff’s student population exceeding 70,000 and growing, the campaign aimed to enhance the night-time experience for all, including international students who may not drink for cultural or religious reasons. In collaboration with Community Alcohol Partnerships, this initiative may now expand to other Purple Flag areas.

Kate Roberts, Senoir Public Health Practitioner added, “We’ve been pleased to work with FOR Cardiff and our other partners to reduce the harm to young people from alcohol through a number of different activities including promoting fun, social activities with alcohol free drinks. The achievement of Cardiff’s Purple Flag shows a night-time economy can provide a great, safe night out for all.”  

South Wales Police Neighbourhood Inspector Adrian Snook said: “It is fantastic news that Cardiff has been re-accredited with the prestigious Purple Flag award for the seventh consecutive time.  It is a notable achievement for Cardiff, and its vibrant night-time economy, and identifies Cardiff as one of the safest places to come for people on a night out in South Wales.

 “Cardiff’s purple flag is a testament to all the partner agencies and businesses operating across the city who work hard to make the area a safe, fun, diverse and clean place to come on a night out for everyone.

“All night-time economies have their challenges but, thanks to work that goes on behind the scenes, we are well-equipped to make Cardiff a destination to enjoy all the diverse entertainment a night-time economy can offer, safely.”

 This year, Cardiff is joined by one new Purple Flag area, nine areas securing Full Renewal accreditation, and nine areas achieving Interim Renewal accreditation. There are now over 80 Purple Flag destinations worldwide, spanning the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Malta, New Zealand, and Australia.

Cliff Vanstone Appointed New Chair of Cardiff Against Business Crime

Written by Carolyn Brownell on . Posted in News.

At the most recent Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) meeting on Thursday 16th February, Cliff Vanstone, Head of John Lewis & Partners Cardiff and Vice Chair of FOR Cardiff, was appointed as Chair of Cardiff Against Business Crime (CABC) – Cardiff’s Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP).

Being a Partner within the John Lewis Partnership for 29 years, Cliff started his career on the selling floor working through the ranks of management across various locations of the UK including London, Bristol and Kingston. Cliff’s extensive retail experience will be invaluable to the BCRP in terms of addressing apathy amongst the sector, and engaging with businesses so they may benefit from the resources the BCRP provides.

In his opening speech, Cliff noted his passion about the direction of the partnership and it’s achievement aims. He looks forward to chairing future meetings and creating a better environment in the city centre for traders, workers and visitors.

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