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A partnership, which has seen a reduction of 40% in overall crime on Broad Street since its formation, has won a prestigious national award.

The City Centre Partnership and Retail Crime Operation recieved the Partnership Excellence Award at the Action Against Business Crime conference in Liverpool at the end of last month.

Despite going head-to-head with the likes of Liverpool, the partnership, which is in its second year, outshone others by delivering major reductions in violent crime and anti-social behaviour on Broad Street.

Eligibility for the partnership Excellence Awards is only open to those Business Partnerships who have already achieved a Safer Business Award and Birmingham has already won two - one for the retail core area and one for Broad Street.

The partners consist of Birmingham City Council, Broad Street BID Company, West Midlands Police, City Centre Partnership and Retail Crime Operation.

Gary Taylor chair of the Broad Street BID Company said: "The award is a tribute to the vision of the Broad Street Businesses who created the BID Company and the genuine partnerships that have developed over the past few years. The changes in Broad Street have been positive for everyone, creating a safer more welcoming environment for our visitors. Awards like this help confirm we are on the right track and demonstrate the positive results of working in real partnerships."

Jonathan Cheetham, chair of the City Centre Partnership and the Retail Crime Operation, said: "This prestigious national accolade recognises that this City really knows how to create partnerships that are not just talking shops but can drive forward really positive change for the better. Broad Street is a great example of successful partnership working, bringing together business, residents and the public services to deliver tangible improvements we can all see and experience."