The West Berkshire Shopsafe Scheme demonstrated a commitment to creating and maintaining a safe and secure environment for all those who use the town and its facilities. It was awarded the Safer Business Award on its successful achievement of the following criteria.

• Partnership structure with a Board of Management
• Constitution, operating guidelines, codes of practice and audit procedures.
• Professional indemnity insurance and registration of Data Protection with the Information Commissioner.
• Radio Link scheme
• Public CCTV
• Membership and links to local authority, police, Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership and other statutory organisations e.g. Youth Offending Team.
• Exclusion Notice Scheme
• Pubwatch scheme
• Local magistrates and CPS are aware of the exclusion notice scheme and will take it into when handing down a sentence.
• Business inclusion which shows 41 members of the scheme including 29 large/multiple businesses, 11 small/medium businesses, Newbury Library and Newbury train and bus station.

The national Safer Business Award is supported by the Home Office and managed by Action Against Business Crime. The criteria based Award recognises towns, cities and shopping centres that demonstrate a strong practical commitment to reducing retail/business crime such as shop theft and anti social behaviour which can seriously impact on the viability of businesses and the safety of their employees.