PABCIS – aka Partnerships Against Business Crime in Staffordshire – was born out of the UK’s first ever crime partnership and radio link which was set up in Stoke-on-Trent city centre in 1988.

PABCIS has been leading the way on gold standard compliance, innovation and city centre partnerships across Britain ever since, initiating best practice initiatives and shaping national policy and governance.

Providing guidance, support and technology, PABCIS’s work in Stoke-on-Trent city centre and across Staffordshire, is instrumental in making city centres and high streets safe places to work, visit and invest.

Through innovative partnership working, creating a crucial link between police, courts and both the business and wider community, PABCIS provides a significant positive impact that builds high street confidence, creates more welcoming spaces and helps grow the profile of high streets across the city and county.

Founded by Julie Davies OBE, based at Hanley’s old Littlewoods store, who then went on to a board member for the National Association of Business Crime Partnerships), PABCIS has always been underpinned by strong partnerships and innovative adoption of technology and approach.

Based in police stations across Staffordshire, PABCIS builds the bridge between civilian intelligence about crime and anti-social behaviour on the high street, police intervention and court action.

Over the last 12 months PABCIS in Stoke-on-Trent city centre has leveraged its unique funding model with Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID, which pay for PABCIS membership for all businesses in the city centre, to maximise its positive impact on crime prevention.

City centre membership has grown from 64 to 145 and gives members access to intelligence about repeat perpetrators of anti-social behaviour, theft and other crime, as well as a safe and efficient way to share their own information securely and in real time.

The funding model ensures that no business is left unsupported by the PABCIS team and helps combat both the realities of high street crime and any negative perceptions of those behaviours to potential visitors and customers. Through the use of a secure, invitation only app,business owners are able to share vital information about individuals who are committing crime or causing a nuisance on the high street that might impact business, safety or how welcoming the high street might feel.

The work of PABCIS and its partnerships in Stoke-on-Trent city centre has led to the creation of a new policing post in the city centre from June 2026.

PABCIS has worked out of the city centre police station for many years and this close working relationship has helped bring about this new key role and visible police presence for the high street. The new officer will be exclusively posted in the city centre and won’t be called away to take part in other policing activities. With the sole purpose of creating confidence and a new day to day contact between business and crime prevention, the new officer will be able to build on the work of PABCIS by growing the confidence of all high street users.

PABCIS has entered the High Street Impact category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.