The National Business Crime Centre has officially launched, pledging to improve co-operation between police forces and businesses in the fight against business crime.

The London based police group said it will “Enable businesses to target resources more efficiently” to combat business crime, and also help businesses to protect themselves from all types of crime.

For independent retailers and other businesses, the NBCC promises to improve communications between police forces on business crime, to help reduce the risk of harm to staff from violent crime, to promote training and advice and to help identify national and local trends.

Deputy commissioner Craig Mackey leads the UK police’s efforts against business crime and is also the head of the National Business Crime Centre. Announcing the formal launch of the centre he appealed for businesses to get involved: “A national centre for excellence and sharing best practice can only be realised with the will and support from our business partners,” he said.

The deputy commissioner added that the centre is “joining the dots” on business crime so “Those who target businesses for criminal purposes will be identified and brought to justice.”

Speaking at its Heart of the Community event this week, the Association of Convenience Retailers CEO James Lowman, and NBCC’s Georgie Barnard urged retailers to contact the NBCC and attend upcoming events to ensure that crime against local shops gets the focus it deserves.

The launch of the NBCC coincided with the release of the government’s annual crime statistics which revealed an overall crime increase including a 19% increase in violent crime. Earlier this week the Met Police also announced a new Crime Assessment Policy which means  it will no longer be investigating all instances of low value shoplifting and criminal damage.