The National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) has announced that this year’s Safer Business Action (SaBA) Week will begin on Monday, 10 November, with coordinated efforts planned across the UK to crack down on retail crime, anti-social behaviour, and other offences impacting businesses.
SaBA Week 2025 is part of a broader national strategy, Tackling Retail Crime Together, launched in July by the minister of state for policing and crime prevention. It builds on last year’s success, which saw over 750 arrests, more than 640 SaBA days and events, and the involvement of 3,400 police officers and PCSOs nationwide.
The week of action will see Business Crime Reductions Partnerships (BCRPs), Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and the private security industry working together to tackle prolific offenders, offer crime prevention advice and carry out joint patrols.
“The NBCC week of action has become an important event in the calendar for police, partners and the business community. There were some excellent results last year in terms of arrests and convictions but also in building long-term engagement and trust with local businesses,” Superintendent Lisa Maslen, NBCC lead, said.
“Every police force in the country gets involved and we have no doubt that the same level of support and commitment will be shown again.”
Retailers urged to participate
Retailers, especially those operating in town centres and high streets, are encouraged to take part in the campaign by supporting local SaBA activities and displaying ShopKind messaging in their stores. ShopKind materials – which promote respect for retail staff and safe shopping environments – are freely available online.
The NBCC will also share real-time updates throughout the week via its LinkedIn and Twitter channels, showcasing actions, arrests, and community engagement efforts.
Building on momentum
This year’s SaBA Week comes amid rising concern in the retail sector over violence and abuse against shopworkers, theft, and organised retail crime. Shop theft has surged by over 60 per cent in the past two years, and abuse of shopworkers is now described as “endemic” by retail industry leaders.
Last month, the Home Office has launched the Safer Streets Summer Initiative, which is seeing increased police patrols and targeted enforcement at more than 500 town centres across the UK. Leicestershire Police held 37 business-focused events during the first month of the campaign, the force said this week, including nine Safer Action Business Advice days.
For more information about the NBCC and SaBA Days, visit the NBCC website.