The BASIS scheme was launched in November 2003 at the local Police Business Buffet, which was attended and supported by the local Councillors, ShopSafe radios, Business leaders, the Crown Prosecution Service and representatives of Action Against Business Crime.

In 2004 BASIS achieved the Home Office sponsored Safer Shopping Award and was reassessed in 2007 to achieve the Safer Business Award. With the Scheme operating the National Protocols this has enabled the membership to increase from an initial 55 to over 85 and disorder has fallen by over 25% in the Sutton High Street area, whilst stock losses have improved on average by between 25% and 50%. Membership fees cover the radio rental and the administration of the scheme, which is mandated to be non-profit making.

The BASIS system also satisfies three of the four business plan requirements of the licensing regulations that were implemented in early 2005 and is, thus, an integral part of the evening/night time economy. The BASIS Scheme Manager attends the monthly PubWatch meetings.

BASIS with its partners are all actively working together to improve the business environment for the owners, public, staff, visitors and customers who frequent Sutton Borough and can therefore feel safe and secure whilst they go about their everyday activities. It is hoped that the BASIS scheme and ShopSafe radio system will cover all the business areas for the borough, but that is dependent on sufficient support and interest from those other areas concerned.

Any business that would like to join or find out more about the system please contact the BASIS Scheme Manager.

Email: BASIS
Tel/Fax:  020 8722 0722
C/O Marks & Spencer
146 High Street
Sutton, Surrey
SM1 1NQ