Four national campaigns. One united message. Safer businesses and stronger communities.
From 9–15 November 2026, the retail sector, policing and community safety organisations across the UK will come together for Safer Business Action Week, a national initiative focused on tackling business crime, protecting frontline workers and creating safer environments for businesses and their communities.
This year marks a significant milestone, with four established national campaigns joining forces for the first time, bringing together awareness, education and practical action under one united approach.
At Apex Radio Systems, we’re proud to support this important initiative and recognise the essential role that communication, technology and partnership working play in helping to create safer communities.
Four National Campaigns, One Shared Commitment
Backed by the Policing Minister, Safer Business Action Week 2026 brings together four national campaigns, each committed to improving safety and promoting respect for those working across the retail sector:
- Safer Business Action Week – National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) : Encouraging coordinated action between policing, retailers and community safety partners to tackle business crime.
- ShopKind – Association of Convenience Stores (ACS): Promoting positive behaviour, kindness and respect towards shopworkers.
- Respect for Shopworkers Week – Usdaw : Raising awareness of violence and abuse towards retail employees and advocating for safer workplaces.
- Let’s Respect Retail – Retail Trust : Encouraging greater respect and support for people working in retail.
Together, these initiatives highlight a shared message: violence, threats and abuse should never be accepted as part of anyone’s working day.
Throughout the week, businesses, police forces and local partnerships will be encouraged to engage in activities that raise awareness, strengthen crime prevention measures, improve reporting and support those working on the frontline.
While the national campaign creates an important opportunity to focus attention on business crime, its longer-term value lies in the relationships, collaboration and practical improvements that continue beyond the week itself.
The Importance of Partnership Working in Tackling Business Crime
Retail crime, anti-social behaviour and incidents of violence or intimidation can have a significant impact on businesses, their employees and the communities they serve.
Tackling these challenges requires more than individual businesses working independently.
Strong collaboration between retailers, security teams, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), Business Crime Reduction Partnerships (BCRPs), local authorities, CCTV operators and policing partners can help develop a more coordinated approach to prevention and response.
When organisations are connected, they are better positioned to:
- Share relevant information about emerging incidents and local concerns.
- Alert neighbouring businesses to potential risks.
- Coordinate responses between security personnel, CCTV operators and other authorised partners.
- Encourage consistent incident reporting and intelligence sharing.
- Provide reassurance and support to frontline employees.
These principles closely align with the objectives of Safer Business Action Week and the work Apex continues to deliver through its ShopWatch and community safety solutions.
How Apex Supports Safer, More Connected Communities
With more than 35 years of experience in professional radio communication solutions, Apex Radio Systems works with businesses and community safety organisations to help improve communication, coordination and frontline protection.
Through our established ShopWatch and PubWatch communication networks , we support retailers, hospitality businesses, BIDs and local partnerships with dedicated radio communication systems designed to keep participating organisations connected.
These networks enable authorised users to share information, raise concerns and communicate directly with other participating businesses and security teams.
Depending on the local scheme and operational arrangements, networks can also provide communication links with CCTV control rooms and police partners.
For frontline workers, having access to a reliable communication network can provide valuable reassurance, particularly when dealing with challenging situations or requiring assistance from neighbouring businesses or local security personnel.
Effective communication is not simply about responding to incidents. It’s about helping people feel connected, supported and better prepared.
Beyond Communication: Connecting People, Intelligence and Technology
While reliable radio communication remains an important part of community safety, tackling business crime effectively requires a broader, joined-up approach.
Incident reporting, intelligence sharing, offender management processes and collaboration between local organisations all have a role to play.
Recognising this, Apex is working alongside specialist crime reduction and community safety organisations to develop a more connected approach that brings together communication technology, intelligence, reporting and partnership working.
Our wider partnership approach focuses on five key principles:
Collaboration
Encouraging stronger relationships between businesses, BIDs, BCRPs, local authorities, police and other community safety stakeholders.
Connected Technology
Exploring how communication systems, reporting platforms and intelligence solutions can complement one another to support more informed decision-making.
Faster, More Coordinated Responses
Helping relevant organisations communicate quickly and share appropriate information when incidents occur.
Safer Frontline Staff
Supporting employees and security personnel with communication tools and processes that help them access assistance and remain informed.
National Reach, Local Impact
Building on established relationships and regional communication networks to support community safety partnerships across the UK.
By bringing these elements closer together, our ambition is to help organisations develop more effective and sustainable approaches to crime reduction and community safety.
Supporting Those Who Work on the Frontline
At the heart of Safer Business Action Week is a simple but important message: everyone deserves to feel safe at work.
Retail employees, security officers, hospitality staff and other frontline workers should not have to accept threats, intimidation or abuse as part of their daily responsibilities.
Businesses and local partnerships can take practical steps to strengthen frontline safety, including:
- Review communication procedures: Ensure employees know how to raise concerns, request assistance and escalate incidents.
- Encourage reporting: Make it straightforward for staff to report criminal activity, threats and anti-social behaviour through appropriate channels.
- Strengthen local partnerships: Engage with BIDs, BCRPs, neighbouring businesses and local policing teams.
- Provide appropriate training: Give employees confidence in incident response procedures, conflict management and personal safety.
- Explore connected solutions: Consider how dedicated communication networks, body-worn video and other appropriate technologies could support frontline teams.
While no single solution can eliminate business crime, a combination of prevention, communication, reporting and partnership working can help organisations create safer and more supportive environments.
Making Safer Communities a Year-Round Priority
Safer Business Action Week 2026 provides a valuable opportunity for businesses, policing and community safety partners to unite around a shared objective.
However, creating safer environments requires continued collaboration long after the national week of action concludes.
At Apex, we’re committed to supporting the people and organisations working towards safer high streets, town centres, retail environments and communities throughout the year.
Whether through established ShopWatch networks, professional communication solutions or our developing crime reduction partnerships, our focus remains on helping businesses and frontline teams stay connected, informed and protected.
Safer Businesses. Stronger Partnerships. Connected Communities.
Together, we can help create safer places to work, shop and visit.
Let’s Work Together to Strengthen Community Safety
Are you a BID, BCRP, local authority, retailer or community safety organisation looking to improve communication or strengthen your existing approach to business crime reduction?
Whether you’re reviewing an established ShopWatch scheme, considering new communication solutions or exploring opportunities for greater collaboration, the Apex team would welcome the opportunity to discuss your requirements.
Contact Apex Radio Systems to find out how we can support your business or community safety partnership.
Stay connected. Stay informed. Stay protected.
