An introduction by the Board of Management

Shepton Mallet Business Against Crime (SMBAC) was launched on 25th January 2007 and through strong local support was able to satisfy AABC Safer Business Awards accreditation requirements by 9th March 2007.

'Mike Schuck, chief executive of Action Against Business Crime, the national partnership accrediting organisation, said, 'I am delighted that Shepton Mallet has achieved the Safer Business Award in such an impressive manner. The partnership is already providing much needed information to both local businesses and police on current crime problems and offenders and it will have a major impact on the ability of thieves and those engaged in anti-social behaviour to commit crime.'

The group has a membership of over 70 over half of whom are in the radio link. For techies we use the PMR Products supplied Kenwood TK-3160 handset and the radio is carried by the local police team in addition to businesses. This radio is compatible with SafetyNet which we expect to be introduced next year by Mendip District Council. Safety Net has been produced by PMR Products and will record all radio traffic and will make the 'panic button' a live feature on the radio. As part of AABC advice that we must be capable of sustaining our group financially we charge our members £5.00 per week for radio rental of which £2.30 goes to the supplier and £2.70 to our funds. This compares very favourably with other areas.

Since inception we have striven to include the local community to ensure that our scheme is effective. For example, local school pupil, Jake Loxton-Dally of Whitstone School designed the SMBAC logo and Mike Schuck of AABC commented that we had the most impressive Steering Group he had seen and we are grateful for their support and advice.

Although we have made huge steps we still have some way to go to become fully effective and ask all for continued support.