Birmingham retailer Parminder Singh has been chosen to chair the National Business Crime Forum, which has been set up to explore ways to reduce levels of crime against businesses.

The organisation will promote links between businesseses, government and police authorities.

Parminder said: "Rising crime and the safety of small businesses is an issue of real concern to me so I am delighted to have been appointed the first-ever chairman of this important national forum.

"As an independent newsagent I have had first-hand experience of retail crime over the many years I have owned my own shop, and during that time levels of retail crime have increased.

"I welcome the opportunity to spearhead this national forum and I am focused on working with my colleagues to get to grips with business crime trends."

Parminder was appointed deputy vice-president of the National Federation of Retail Newsagents in 2008 and is the current chairman of the federation's public affairs committee. He takes over the role of national president in June this year.

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