A new app has been introduced to Bracknell businesses to improve the gradual increase of crime in the local area.

This follows a small but significant increase in overall and business-related offences in Bracknell and Wokingham over the last 3 years.

According to recent figure’s there has been a 15% rise in all crimes and a 4% rise in business related burglaries in the Bracknell and Wokingham area between 2020/21 and 2021/22.

The latest introduction of the app is in Bracknell’s Business Improvement District (BID), which covers the Western and Southern Bracknell businesses.

This has been funded with the objective of business growth and investment, while maintaining intelligence between partners and developers within the area.

Sean Griffin, Bracknell BID manager, explains: “DISC is a virtual neighbourhood watch which is used all over the country. It’s used in Industrial estates, retails centres, town centres. The aim of it is to improve the correlation of crime.

“Broadly speaking the crime is quite low in the BID area but we’re keen to keep it that way and keep the area as secure and safe as possible for businesses.

“It’s basically a portal where businesses can access it through their phone or desktop and if there is a suspicious character around or suspicious behaviour, they can share it and that information is shared to other businesses within the app throughout that area.”

The crime prevention system, which was launched before Christmas will cover all levy paying businesses over the 400 acre Western and Southern area of Bracknell.

Mr Griffin said: “Although the DISC system doesn’t replace calling 101 or speaking to a police officer, it just makes it more effective and more efficient when sharing intelligence about low level crime between businesses.

“It’s been very popularly received and businesses have been very interested in it. Some of the large security teams and some of the larger businesses are signed up.”

The BID area covers 400 acres of industrial and business space which contain both national companies very important to the local area, and small to medium businesses which promote innovation and local employment.

According to Bracknell BID, the app is used in other areas of Bracknell, including the town centre and The Lexicon shopping centre.

He added: “I do think it will reduce the amount of crime in an area. It’s very positively received elsewhere as it makes it very easy for businesses to share information.