The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has announced it will be hosting its inaugural National Shred Day on behalf of its Information Destruction members, in partnership with independent national charity Crimestoppers.
National Shred Day, which will be held at multiple locations across the United Kingdom on Saturday 2 October, is an opportunity for small businesses and members of the public to safely dispose their confidential waste for a nominal donation.
The BSIA’s Information Destructions members will be providing their disposal units at regional sites which will be advertised locally over the summer and will be based in the car parks of large commercial parks in regions stretching from the West Country to Scotland.
All donations given on the day go towards the regional projects carried out by Crimestoppers. The charity supports people who have crime information and want to do the right thing, but feel they’ve nowhere else to turn. Crimestoppers guarantee 100% anonymity to everyone who contacts them online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling freephone 0800 555 111.
Crimestoppers takes over 1,000 calls and contacts each and every day with information that helps stop crime. Once anonymised, vital intelligence is passed on to police and other UK law enforcement agencies. Crimestoppers information prevents bomb and acid attacks, gang violence, murders, illegal drugs, child abuse, domestic abuse and modern slavery. Anonymous information is also used to catch dangerous fugitives who are on the run both here and abroad. It also helps police investigators solve difficult cases so that families can get the justice they desperately seek.
Kristian Carter, Chairman of the BSIA’s Information Destruction section and Commercial Director at Shred Station, said: “Over lockdown many small companies and independent traders will have stored up a considerable amount of confidential waste and often small shredders will not be sufficient enough to dispose of it safely. It is essential now more than ever that confidential documented information on people and businesses is destroyed securely to avoid the possibility of fraud occurring, and our Information Destruction companies play a crucial role in maintaining confidentiality with all kinds of paper data.
“National Shred Day is an opportunity for us to assist in making sure that any confidential waste in your home and small office can be destroyed in a safe and environmentally positive way.”
Mark Hallas, Chief Executive of the charity Crimestoppers, said: “Protecting your information is a priority to both our charity and BSIA. We are delighted that BSIA recognises the huge value of our work in supporting people and communities to speak up anonymously about crime.
“I’d like to thank BSIA for using this opportunity to help raise vital funds for our charity and I encourage you all to fully support the first ever UK National Shred Day.”
The confidential paper waste that is collected on the day will be securely shredded on-site before being baled and recycled into paper and tissue products.
For more information on National Shred Day please visit www.bsia.co.uk/national-shred-day.
