PARTNERS
ALL THE LATEST NEWS, ADVICE AND EVENTS FOR THE SOLIHULL BUSINESS COMMUNITY
JOINING FORCES TO FIGHT CRIME
BY SALLY BOURNER CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT, SOLIHULL POLICE
Is your business a magnet for metal thieves?
The national cost of metal theft last year was around £1 billion. Copper thefts from substations or cabling
from motorway hard shoulders present huge danger to both offender and the wider public. But thieves are also targeting homes and businesses in the hope of making off with lead flashing, copper wire, or insecure metal objects. Last year there were around 8,000 metal
thefts reported in the West Midlands, including some at business premises in Solihull. Solihull Police conduct regular action days – as part of Operation Steel – to check scrap yards for stolen metal and the cargos of scrap vans using the road network. But businesses can also help protect themselves against metal thieves. West Midlands Police have issued the following tips: • Conduct a 'recce' of your premises and external areas. What metal items do you possess or are part of the building? How easy would it be for a thief to steal them?
• Consider ground anchors to secure large metal items, especially those kept in outbuildings
• Remove or secure any ladders, beer kegs, wheelbarrows, shopping trolleys, wheelie bins etc. Wheelie bins are often used to move stolen metal.
• Remove easy means of access onto building roofs, such as water butts, bins and any other such object near to the building.
• Prune back or remove overhanging shrubs that could act as a climbing aid or provide a screen to hide criminal activity.
• Use anti-vandal paint above two metres high – together with a warning notice highlighting its use. Such paint can be used on drain pipes to protect your property.
• Property mark and photograph metal items in order to aid identification if they are stolen.
• Install a CCTV system with a minimum seven- day, real time recording facility. • Ensure security lighting works.
16 CHAMBERLINK FEBRUARY 2012
Town builds reputation S
olihull Business Improvement District (BID) is aiming to build on the town’s economic success in 2012 by
Solihull Chamber of Commerce Wellington House, Starley Way, Birmingham Int. Park, Solihull B37 7HE T: 0121 781 7384 • F: 0121 781 7385 E:
info@solihull-chamber.com W:
solihull-chamber.com
In 2012 we plan to build on these campaigns and events
attracting even more spending visitors. Research at the end of 2011 showed that Solihull’s economy was out-performing the rest of the Midlands and proving to be one of the UK’s economic hotspots. BID director Shirley Sturzaker said: “2011 was a real turning point for the promotion of Solihull.
The BID enabled us to bring together the 488 businesses in the centre of the town to create powerful marketing campaigns reaching millions of people across the West Midlands.” The BID launched Solihull’s first-ever Dining Week in October which saw thousands of people visiting restaurants, bars and other food and drinks businesses in the town. The team also worked with The NEC Group to stage two fashion events at the LG Arena, designed to highlight Solihull’s fashion brands to 30,000 Rihanna fans. Solihull BID has also worked to increase trading closer to home by encouraging town centre
employees to ‘shop local’ using a new Business Exchange Card with local retailers providing exclusive offers to 15,000 town centre employees. Participating businesses have reported their trading figures being up as much as 10% as a direct result. “In 2012 we plan to build on these campaigns and events,” added Shirley. “As well as the return of Dining Week, we also intend to launch a Dance Festival and a Jazz and Blues Festival – and to take the Solihull message even further afield working with our colleagues at Solihull Council and Marketing Birmingham on both national and international campaigns.”
Wilson Field opens in Solihull
A business turnaround and insolvency specialist has continued its UK expansion by opening a new office in Solihull. Wilson Field Ltd, which operates nationwide and is a member of Birmingham Chamber, has opened an office at Blythe Valley Business Park. The launch event for the new office, held at
the Hotel Du Vin in Birmingham, was attended by more than 100 business people from across the region.
Launched in 2001 in Sheffield, Wilson Field has achieved year-on-year growth and financial success. This latest expansion comes in the same 18-month period which has seen the opening of the company’s Manchester and Leeds offices. The new office will be headed up by Neil
Jeeves and John Daly. The duo have more than 30 years experience in the commercial finance industry, with key contacts in the asset based lending, banking and factoring sectors. John said: “The office launch was a fantastic
event and the perfect opportunity to introduce Wilson Field to the West Midlands area.
Wilson Field’s managing director Nick Wilson (front centre left), John Daly (front centre right) and Neil Jeeves (back centre) with other members of the Solihull team
“This is a progressive company with an
outstanding record of growth and I’m looking forward to continuing that success in the West Midlands.”
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