When I first started this job, it became quickly apparent that on a few industrial estates, businesses would benefit from joining together to pay for some form of security. In some cases, businesses were experiencing low-level crime & disorder, which could be reduced or solved by various security measures. These measures included guard patrols or monitored CCTV. In July 2006, through the recently set up Rustington Trading Estate Business Association, a group of business owners decided to launch a security scheme to help themselves. They formed a company limited by guarantee, and, with the help of Rustington office services company, Arun Office Services, a scheme was launched. The businesses held an informal tender and chose Guardian to provide guarding support. This has reduced anti-social crime significantly and, more importantly, it is an estate-wide scheme that sees businesses benefit from a co-operative approach, reaping economies of scale. By sharing the total costs, businesses pay significantly less than if they were to do it alone.

At South Bersted in Bognor Regis, there was a more significant problem. At Christmas it was feared that with factories & offices on skeleton staff or shut, vandalism would increase. So, through the South Bersted Business Park Association and Arun Office Services a scheme was created, again with Guardian. 17 businesses paid a shared sum to ensure there was a presence around the business premises. Consequently, incidents over the holiday period were minimal.

At Riverside Industrial Estate in Littlehampton, a scheme was introduced with monitored CCTV cameras being installed. The Riverside Business Park Association working together with The Better Business Park Project, held an informal tender, and Worthing based security & alarms company, IPS Ltd, were chosen to run the security. As the cameras are monitored, Littlehampton guarding company Allied can be called to follow up any intrusions. As a result of signing up 60% of the estate to the scheme, and setting up its own company, the Better Business Park Project and Littlehampton Welding contributed significant sums to help fund the installation and setup of the scheme.

These examples show that working together can be an effective, money saving enterprise. And, although these schemes were initially co-ordinated by The Better Business Parks Project, they are ultimately sustainable because businesses own and run them. It is also worth noting that the local police have increased their awareness and involvement with business park occupiers, and work in partnership with these private schemes.

For further information about these schemes or other security issues on Arun’s industrial estates, contact Chris Shephard on 07929 030816 or by email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it