Welcome to the SWBAC website

Somerset West Businesses Against Crime is a not for profit organisation working in partnership with statutory agencies and the wider community to help reduce crime against businesses.

Crimes against businesses cost the economy £12.6 billion a year*.

These crimes are often seen as victimless but their impact is felt by the whole community. Employment and long term business viability suffer as businesses are unable to recruit or continue operating due to the losses incurred. Towns thought of as crime ridden struggle to attract new businesses into the area.

Most crimes committed against businesses carry further underlying issues for our communities. The majority are committed by those with alcohol and/or drug dependencies. The impact on society of these issues are incredibly detrimental.

There are many organised criminal gangs involved in these crimes and the proceeds are then used in drug and people trafficking, money laundering, sexual exploitation and terrorism. Through the collected efforts of our members, the police and CCTV sharing information, we have been able to deter and disrupt a number of these gangs whose frequency of visits have greatly reduced as a consequence.  

That is why we, as a community, work together to help prevent these crimes from taking place. Through our combined efforts, we can keep our communities safe, reduce the negative impact of crime and secure the long term viability of our area for future generations.    

*The Invisible Crime: A Business Crime Survey April 2008 by the British Chamber of Commerce