ANNOUNCEMENT

Charity launches with mission to transform lives and drive real change in local communities…

Amid growing pressures on UK retailers and police forces, ASEL has announced the launch of the ASEL Foundation, a registered charity dedicated to supporting organisations that help individuals break free from cycles of offending, addiction and hardship.

Formerly the NBCS Foundation, the charity will double down on supporting organisations working at the intersection of crime reduction, rehabilitation and community safety. Through this work, the ASEL Foundation aims to deliver meaningful, long-term improvements in people’s lives across the UK, while helping to reduce retail crime and ease demand on UK policing.

The Foundation is chaired by Stuart Toogood of West Midlands Police, and Founder of the Offending to Recovery Programme (O2R). Annelies Kowzan, Peter Fisher, and Sarah Bird serve as Trustees.

Every life counts

At the heart of the Foundation’s work is the belief that Every Life Counts. Born from a commitment to make communities safer and businesses more secure, the Foundation’s mission goes beyond tackling crime alone – it is about addressing the root causes that lead individuals into offending in the first place.

Many people who offend against businesses are caught in long-term patterns of addiction, vulnerability and social exclusion. By supporting rehabilitation programmes, treatment initiatives and recovery-focused partnerships, the ASEL Foundation aims to give individuals the opportunity to rebuild their lives, reduce reoffending, and make a positive contribution to society. The Foundation can also help individuals before the patterns of addiction and vulnerability begin, by supporting other, more localised charities focusing on diverting ‘at risk’ youngsters.

Working in collaboration with police forces and partners across the UK, the ASEL Foundation is focused on delivering practical, evidence-led change. By supporting pathways away from crime and towards recovery, the Foundation seeks to protect businesses while helping individuals transform their futures and strengthening the communities around them.

Commenting, Charity Chair Stuart Toogood, said: “I am very proud to be the Chairman of the ASEL Foundation. I am a huge advocate of rehabilitation and supporting those passionate people and organisations who truly want to make a difference to people’s lives – particularly those helping some of the most vulnerable and challenging individuals in our society.”

“Having created the WMP Offending to Recovery Programme, I have seen first-hand how people can change, grow, and go on to become productive and valued members of our communities. These organisations are run by passionate and caring people, and we should support them. I am confident that the ASEL Foundation can help to make a real difference.”

“The Foundation should be seen as ‘Our Foundation’, with all of us playing a role in achieving its purpose.”

ASEL CEO Dan Hardy said: “For too long, the response to crime against businesses has focused solely on detection and enforcement. While those elements remain vital, real and lasting change comes from addressing why individuals offend in the first place.”

“The ASEL Foundation reflects our belief that safer communities and more secure businesses are best achieved when prevention, rehabilitation and recovery sit alongside enforcement.”

“By supporting proven recovery-focused initiatives and working closely with police forces, treatment providers and partners across the UK, the Foundation aims to break the cycle of reoffending that harms individuals, businesses and communities alike. We believe every life counts, and through the ASEL Foundation we are committed to playing our part in creating safer, fairer and more resilient communities.”

More information can be found at www.aselfoundation.org.uk.