Arun Business Crime Reduction Partnership

There is a big difference between the number of incidents businesses say are taking place in their premises and the town centres, and the number reported to police in a way that can be followed up on or used to evidence the need for more resources. While crime reduction services have been available to businesses in Littlehampton and Bognor Regis town centres for several years - funded and delivered by the Business Improvement District in Bognor Regis, and funded by Arun District Council and operated by volunteers in Littlehampton - this is the first time the initiative has been formally staffed or covered both areas. Membership of the scheme is provided at no additional cost to businesses.

The day-to-day operations of the Arun BCRP are delivered by a dedicated, full-time BCRP Manager whose time is split equally between issues affecting the two focus areas of Littlehampton and Bognor Regis town centres. This includes a physical presence in both town centres over the course of their working week, as well as regular meetings with our Community Safety team, Sussex Police and the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner's office.  

When you join the BCRP, you'll be given access to a data compliant app called DISC. You use the app to share information with other businesses that are members of the scheme, and to report incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour taking place in your premises to the BCRP Manager, and to Sussex Police through a secure link.  

The DISC app is also the main channel for the BCRP Manager to share information about successes, alerts, local news and opportunities to attend events and meetings about business crime.  

The Arun BCRP is set up as a standalone business association, with its own operating rules and governance structure. It exists completely separately from the various funding organisations and does not have any political ties.    

The Arun BCRP's management board is led by representatives of businesses from Littlehampton and Bognor Regis, and only these business representatives can vote when decisions need to be made. Officers from the local funding partners will attend these business-led meetings in an information sharing and advisory capacity.

The Arun BCRP is funded by a partnership between Arun District Council, Bognor Regis Business Improvement District, Littlehampton Town Council, the Safer Arun Partnership and Sussex Police. Membership of the scheme is provided at no additional cost to businesses.

• Arun District Council is a funding partner (Economy team and Safer Arun Partnership), along with Littlehampton Town Council, Bognor Regis Business Improvement District and Sussex Police.
• Bognor Regis Town Council were invited to take part, but resolved not to support the request from ADC to financially contribute towards a BCRP initiative (Minutes of the Planning and Development Committee meeting)
• The post for the one, full time employee, (Arun BCRP Manager), sits within our Economy team.
• This is a one-year, fixed term contract, subject to ongoing funding support from local partners.
• The post is managed by the Economy team's Business and Economy Manager.
• The Arun BCRP Manager processes reports submitted by business members through the DISC app.
• The Arun BCRP Manager reports against KPIs to the business leaders of the BCRP management board, but the management board does not have authority to make decisions about the employment status of the BCRP Manager, or the funding of the BCRP
• Elected Members from Arun District Council review the achievements of the BCRP through a separate Partnership Board , with a view to future funding support. The Partnership Board has no involvement in or authority over the structure or day to day running of the BCRP.
• Council officers attend both the Management Board and Partnership Board in an entirely advisory capacity and do not have a vote when it comes to decision making.
• Our Economy team provide admin support for the BCRP, including computer and telephone equipment for the BCRP Manager to use and a unique email address for the BCRP. 
• All costs associated with the Arun BCRP are allocated to a unique cost code.
• Our Economy team manager oversees the collection of contributions from funding partners and oversees spending.