In 1985, Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council formed a Working Party consisting of Members of the Council, Knowsley Industrialist Association and Merseyside Police. That period in time had seen the closure of some of the larger companies on Knowsley Industrial Park and this economic decline had led to high levels of crime and vandalism. One of the primary objectives of the working party was to develop a scheme which would encourage a partnership approach to resolving crime related problems in order to encourage economic growth. The outcome was the formation of Knowsley Industry Watch. The scheme was to be based on the Home Watch Scheme concept and become a non-profit making organisation, providing a partnership approach to crime prevention.

As a result in March 1988, Home Office Minister Mr David Trippier launched Knowsley Industry Watch thus commissioning the first Industry/Business Watch scheme in the Country. With financial resources provided by Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council and Government funds Knowsley Business Watch canvassed industries and businesses on Knowsley Industrial Park. Such was the success of this innovative Scheme, Business Watch was encouraged and assisted by Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council to develop the partnership throughout the three major Industrial Parks in the Borough. In 1991, under the management of Derek Anderson the scheme changed it's name to Knowsley Business Watch.

Business Watch forms part of the local authority’s umbrella of services. Working closely with the authority’s Investment Team we can offer help and advice to inward investors and existing business links who seek assistance to secure their properties and upgrade security.

The scheme has excellent communication links with its members and regularly furnishes companies with information about developing crime trends, criminal incidents and suspicious activity that could impact on businesses in the area.

Knowsley Business Watch also oversees the management of the Knowsley Industrial Park CCTV system in liaison with Knowsley's Department of Environmental and Operational Services and through its partnership links with Merseyside Police and KMBC it strives to maintain a quality business environment whilst improving the perception of Knowsley as a business location.

Working in partnership with Knowsley’s three major industrial parks (Huyton Business Park, Knowsley Business Park and Knowsley Industrial Park), Business Watch assists Knowsley based companies with:-

Independent security risk assessments.

Help in conducting security surveys in conjunction with council grant schemes.

Provide information to businesses about developing crime problems, crime trends and criminal activity.

Currently there are 330 participating members in the Knowsley Business Watch scheme.

Knowsley Business Watch aims to serve members by:-

Encouraging mutual assistance between members.

Increasing crime prevention awareness.

Stimulating the exchange of information between members, police and other agencies.

Promoting crime prevention and standards of security.

Training in recognition and reporting of suspicious incidents.

Create an environment unattractive to criminals.

....................................... ....................................... ....................................... ....................................... ....................................... Knowsley Business Watch is a company Limited by Guarantee - Registered at Cardiff - Registered Number 3044989