LONDON eDitiON autumn 2016 round-up Protect your business against crime Business crime is a barrier to growth for millions of small firms and in the very worst cases can put them out of business. A survey by the Federation of Small Businesses earlier this year suggested that nearly a quarter of all enterprise-related crime against its members goes unreported,1 and that crime not including online crime costs companies an average of 5,898.1 RouNd-uP The most common crimes that firms experience are theft, burglary, robbery, cyber-crime and violence against employees. Here are some simple steps to help you protect your business: l Join or form a local Business Watch scheme, or link up with other retailers to share the latest information on crime prevention and risks in your local area l Get to know your local community police officer and make sure groups involved in tackling crime know the problems you face and what they can do to help l Think about product placement. dont put your most valuable goods near the door and avoid stocking the shelves fully with valuable items this will reduce bulk thefts l Involve everyone who works in your business and use their experience. Make sure your staff are confident, alert and well-informed, and that they acknowledge customers and engage with them when they enter your premises l Strengthen doors and windows. use high-quality materials, as set out in your insurance policy. Securely lock all entrances and exits overnight, and consider shutters and alarms that are linked to security companies l Ensure any CCTV and alarm systems that you have are appropriately placed and effective. Prominent CCTV signage can be a deterrent to thieves and burglars l Consider anti-graffiti paint or plastic coatings for windows l Keep boundaries secure. Restrict access to drainpipes, flat roofs and other buildings l Ensure that car parks, retail frontages and dark corners are lit effectively; this can prevent the likelihood of your premises being chosen. Consider a timer for internal lights, to create the impression that your premises are occupied at night The National Association of Business Crime Partnerships offers a wealth of advice on how to protect your business against crime and also publishes Good Practice Guides. Credit: Carrie Morris, Luke Prescott, West Midlands Police Images: Mrs_ya / Shutterstock references 1. Federation of Small Businesses, 2016 Business as usual following EU vote Some have already been written into uK legislation and others have not, but all of them remain in force and that is unlikely to change in the immediate future. Clearly, there are many unanswered questions surrounding the referendum, and the government needs to think carefully about consumers and how we might leave the Eu. The valuable protections that trading standards officers provide must be underpinned by appropriate legislation and resources, and we will continue to fight for both. Additionally, the institute delivers a number of services and obligations emanating from Eu law on behalf of the uK government. These include offering competent authority for alternative dispute resolution, and services to enable consumers to raise complaints about traders in other Eu countries. Livermore added that these will continue as currently provided, until such time as legislation is changed. The longer-term future of these services will ultimately be decided by the uK government. Following the shock Eu referendum result on 23 June, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has promised to work with government to ensure a fair playing field for business. Speaking in June, CTSI chief executive Leon Livermore (pictured) was keen to reasure businesses and consumers that the institute will work closely with colleagues in central and local government to ensure the needs of consumers and honest businesses are understood, as the uK unpicks consumer legislation and regulations. FInd oUT morE up-to-date information on trading standards law for business is available on the government-sponsored Business Companion website. He added: Eu has been good for consumers, and many of our consumer rights and product safety laws come from the Eu. CMA and fair terms for your customers The Competition and Markets Authority has produced a number of leaflets to help businesses comply with the latest consumer law. legislation, including the unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 and the unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 came into force on 1 october 2015, and requires that any terms in consumer contracts and notices are fair. It also states that any unfair term is not binding on the consumer, and that action could be taken to prevent it from being used. The Act consolidated several pieces of FInd oUT morE A general guidance leaflet produced by the Competition and Markets Authority contains a link to more specific, individual guides available. Credit: Sylvia Rook Images: grethen.tal/ Shutterstock BUSInESS maTTErS trading Standards is committed to making it easier for businesses to comply with the law and Trading Standards Business News (TSBN) is one of the ways it is doing just that. Formerly called Trading Standards News, this publication focuses on topics that are relevant to people running businesses, and aims to help them operate safely and efficiently while staying within the law. if you are viewing this edition on a web browser, you can download the tSBN app for Apple, Android and Amazon devices. For further information please contact your local Trading Standards Service