Businessowners around Holloway are joining together to help tackle crime in the area.

Hairdressers, shops and pubs are among those to sign up to the newly created Business Crime Reduction Partnership in Archway and Nag’s Head.

It comes as Metropolitan Police data shows that there were 446 victims of business crime in Islington last month, 120 more than there were a year ago.

Sean Doyle, the manager at department store Selbys in Holloway Road, said the partnership was a “much needed and welcome initiative”.

Hairdressers, pubs and shops are all part of the schemeHairdressers, pubs and shops are all part of the scheme (Image: Newsquest)

As members of the scheme, businesses will have access to a secure intelligence database where they can communicate with police, share news and log incidents.

Around 30 businesses will also join a digital radio network, so they can speak directly to one another.

Islington Council says the scheme is thought to be worth more than £600 a year for each business.

Membership will be funded by the council and the Safer Business Network until April next year.

Free training will also be provided to staff so that they can identify and support vulnerable customers, manage conflict and promote equality in the workplace.

A police community support officer from the local area will also be dedicated to the partnership.

Dr Giulia Faggio, a reader in economics at City St George's university, will review the project's impact, in the hope of providing evidence of the effectiveness of a BCRP in reducing business crime.

The scheme has been described as 'a much needed initiative'The scheme has been described as 'a much needed initiative' (Image: Newsquest)

Cllr John Woolf, Islington’s executive member of community safety, said: “The launch of this Business Crime Reduction Partnership is a significant step forward in our efforts to create a safer environment for our local businesses.

“By working together, we can tackle crime more effectively and support our business community to thrive without the fear of crime and antisocial behaviour.”

Selbys’ Sean Doyle added: "I would encourage all businesses to sign up to the BCRP so we can work with the police, council and Safer Business Network to tackle crime and ASB.

“It’s free to join and businesses will have access to free training, a secure intel system and free events.”