I have recently become part of the research team on the Crime Prevention for Emerging Enterprises project to complete the second and third phases of the project:
The second phase will concentrate on tackling the barriers to employment experienced by offenders. Some of these barriers have been identified during the first phase, with one significant problem already being identified, and that is the discrimination against ex-offenders by employers.
The major task in the second phase is to engage with employers, and in particular their HR/Personnel professionals to encourage them to consider the employment of ex-offenders under their company Diversity policy.
The third phase will disseminate the findings.
Project SummaryNew small businesses are vital to regeneration. However many new businesses fail because they become the victims of crime, theft, vandalism, internal fraud etc... Emerging enterprises are particularly vulnerable to crime because 1) entrepreneurs have so many other things to do, to know and to worry about, 2) they lack the resources to recover from significant loss, 3) they depend on trusting collaboration with partners, families and employees. This project is working with entrepreneurs and advisers in
New Entrepreneur Scholarships,
Carlisle MBC and the
Blackpool Tourism Support Bureau to investigate barriers to putting protection in place and to develop training materials on crime prevention that are appropriate to the needs of emerging enterprises. These materials will then be disseminated more widely through other agencies such as VAT inspectors and
Business Link, developing their capacity and the capacity of HE staff for effective knowledge exchange with the smallest enterprises.
St Helens beat Leeds Rhinos 26-16 at the Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield this afternoon to claim a place in the Carnegie Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday, August 30th. They will play the winners of tomorrows semi-final between Hull and Wakefield. Click here for full match report.
Wigan Warriors fell in battle against St Helens at the JJB stadium on Friday night. Down to 12 men after Michael McIlorum was sent off for a high tackle on Ade Gardner in the opening few minutes and being denied a couple of tries by the video referee didn't help a struggling Warriors side. Saints led comfortably at half time 22-6 and in their usual 'easy as you go' style, they secured a 12-46 win. For a full match report click here. 
Saints were in sparkling form as they walloped Castleford Tigers tonight at Knowsley Road. The league leaders ran in 12 tries to demolish Castleford. Final score: St Helens 68 Castleford Tigers 12. Click here for full match report.
'Artist’s impression of the new stadium planned for St Helens RFL'
