Wakefield BID officially launched Safer Wakefield this month – a new business crime reduction partnership designed to support city centre businesses, reduce crime and antisocial behaviour, and ensure Wakefield continues to be one of the safest districts in West Yorkshire.
The launch event welcomed BID members, West Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, Wakefield Council, community safety partners and special guest Alison Lowe OBE, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime in West Yorkshire.
Alison Lowe expressed her strong support for the initiative, praising the proactive partnership between the business community and local agencies. She said Safer Wakefield represents exactly the kind of collaborative, on-the-ground approach needed to tackle crime and build community confidence.
Speaking at the event, Thomas Wales, Chief Executive of Wakefield BID, said:
“Wakefield is already one of the safest districts in West Yorkshire – and we want to make sure it stays that way. But that doesn’t happen by chance. It takes collaboration, listening to businesses, and putting the right tools in place to deal with the issues that matter most. Safer Wakefield isn’t just a catchy name – it’s a commitment to doing things better, together.”
So, what is Safer Wakefield?
It’s a new initiative giving BID members access to a secure digital platform and radio network that allows businesses to:
- Receive instant alerts from across the city
- Share and view images of known offenders
- Report incidents quickly and securely
- Communicate directly with other businesses, Wakefield BID’s team, the police, enforcement officers and CCTV control
The goal? Faster response, more joined-up working, and fewer repeat incidents.
It’s also about confidence and culture.
The launch highlighted the support businesses will receive through free training sessions – including WalkSafe, Ask for Angela, and Active Bystander training – all aimed at helping staff feel more confident when dealing with difficult situations.
Why reporting matters
One of the key messages at the launch was about the importance of reporting every incident, no matter how small. This builds a fuller picture of what’s really happening on the ground and helps Wakefield BID and partners work with the police to take meaningful action.
Thomas added:
“We’ve listened to what businesses are telling us – that retail crime and antisocial behaviour can have a real impact. Safer Wakefield gives us a practical, joined-up way to tackle these issues head-on. We’re not here to tell businesses to cope – we’re here to make sure they don’t have to cope alone.”
Want to get involved?
If you’d like to join or learn more, drop us a message at saferwakefield@wakefieldbid.co.uk or speak to a member of the Wakefield BID team.
Together, we are Safer Wakefield.
