BSIA launches National Shred Day in partnership with 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 of their confidential waste material for a nominal donation. The BSIA’s Information Destruction Section members are providing their disposal units at regional sites which will be advertised locally. The units are going to be based in the car parks of large commercial parks in regions stretching from the West Country right up 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 to hand and want to do the right thing, but feel they’ve nowhere to turn. Crimestoppers guarantees 100% anonymity to everyone who contacts them either online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling freephone 0800 555 111.

Crimestoppers receives over 1,000 calls and contacts each and every day involving information that helps to stop crime. Once anonymised, vital intelligence received from members of the public is passed on to the police and other UK law enforcement agencies.

Often, the information that’s received prevents bomb and acid attacks, gang violence, murders, illegal drug use, 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 to solve difficult cases such that families can derive the justice they desperately seek.

Avoiding fraud   

Kristian Carter, chair of the BSIA’s Information Destruction Section and commercial director at Shred Station, informed Security Matters: “During lockdown, many small companies and independent traders will have stored up a considerable amount of confidential waste. Often, small shredders will not be sufficient enough to dispose of it safely. Now more than ever, it’s essential that confidential documented information on people and businesses is destroyed securely to avoid the possibility of fraud.”

Carter added: “Our Information Destruction Section registered 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 offices and homes can be destroyed in a safe and environmentally positive way.”

Mark Hallas, CEO of Crimestoppers, added: “Protecting your information is a priority for both our charity and the BSIA. We are delighted that the BSIA recognises the huge value of our work in supporting people and communities to speak up anonymously about crime. I would like to thank the BSIA for using this opportunity to help raise vital funds for our charity and I encourage you all to fully support the first-ever National Shred Day here in the UK.”

The confidential paper waste that’s 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 visit www.bsia.co.uk/national-shred-day