It has been a busy and productive Safer Business Action Week 2026, showcasing the strength of collaborative working through the Winchester Business Crime Reduction Partnership (WBCRP) coordinated by Winchester Business Improvement District (BID).
Throughout the week, the Winchester BID Rangers have joined forces with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, Winchester City Council’s Community Safety Team and local businesses to tackle business crime, address anti-social behaviour and help keep our city centre safe and welcoming.
As part of Safer Business Action Week, a national initiative taking place this year from 9 to 15 November, the WBCRP has been working together to enhance community safety, reduce crime, and strengthen collaboration across the city centre.
Pubwatch engagement
The BID Rangers visited Pubwatch member venues throughout the week, encouraging businesses to prominently display Ask for Angela and Counter Terrorism Awareness posters. These initiatives help create safer environments for customers by supporting vulnerable individuals who may need assistance and by promoting vigilance in identifying and reporting suspicious activity, particularly in the lead-up to the busy festive season.
Shopwatch intelligence briefing
A Shopwatch Intelligence Briefing was held at Greggs in the High Street on Wednesday 11 November and was well attended by local businesses, Neighbourhood Policing Officers and the BID Rangers. An electronic intelligence briefing was also circulated via the DISC information-sharing platform prior to the meeting, ensuring that businesses were updated on current crime trends, emerging issues, and offender intelligence affecting the city centre.
BID Rangers visiting businesses
The BID Rangers have been supporting staff with radio training and provide guidance on using the WBCRP information-sharing platform to report incidents and, where appropriate, submit crime reports to the Police through the scheme.
Targeted anti-social behaviour operations
Winchester City Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Patrol Officer joined the BID Rangers on Tuesday 10 and Friday 13 November to carry out focused patrols addressing anti-social behaviour, including street begging and associated concerns within the city centre. These joint operations provided opportunities to engage with individuals, offer appropriate support where needed, and address behaviours impacting businesses and visitors.
Joint patrols with Police
The BID Rangers also conducted high-visibility patrols with the local Neighbourhood Policing Team throughout the week. These patrols aimed to deter shoplifting, anti-social behaviour, and other criminal activity, while providing reassurance to businesses, residents and visitors.
Partnership working and crime prevention
Safer Business Action Week highlighted the value of partnership working between businesses, the Police, Winchester BID, and local authorities. Through intelligence sharing, proactive engagement, crime prevention initiatives, and visible enforcement activity, partners demonstrated a collective commitment to keeping Winchester a safe, welcoming, and resilient place to live, work, and visit.
The message from this week is clear – partnership working makes a difference!
By sharing intelligence, building relationships and taking a proactive, coordinated approach, we are helping businesses feel supported and making Winchester a safer place for everyone. As we head towards the busy festive season, this ongoing collaboration is more important than ever. A huge thank you to our BID Rangers, Policing and Council partners, and all the local businesses who have actively participated throughout the week.
Together, we are working towards a safer Winchester.
Pictures: Click below for a selection of pictures from Safer Business Action Week 2026 in Winchester.
