SPECIALIST support is being offered to Kinver businesses who have been hit by crime.

The Business Crime Matters strategy is being launched on Monday (January 26) in a bid to beat the criminals and promote economic growth.

This free service will provide support and guidance to South Staffordshire businesses, whether they have reported the crime to police or not.

Experts will offer victims specialist and confidential support is areas such as security, insurance, ICT recovery and reputational damage.

Deputy PCC Sue Arnold, who is spearheading the service, said: "Businesses are the lifeblood of local communities across Staffordshire but times are tough for small retailers and being a victim of robbery, theft, vandalism or online fraud can be enough to drive them into the ground.

"Nationally over a third of businesses fail to report crime. We want to change this by making sure that business crime is taken very seriously."

The service will continue until August 31, when it will be reviewed.

For more information visit www.businesscrimematters.com or call 01782 900239 to speak to advisors.