Business Watch has two different forms. Some industrial estates have their own Business Watch scheme supported by Bedfordshire Police. These are a group of companies who work together by sharing crime reduction advice, informing each other of suspicious incidents and deciding strategies with other partners for reducing crime in the area.
Another form of Business Watch is the countywide version, which is centred around the Ringmaster community messaging service. The scheme offers members the opportunity to receive Ringmaster alerts by email or telephone, about crime series and hotspots that affect businesses. Members will also be given the opportunity to receive messages about their wider community. Members do not have to be part of any other scheme, and Ringmasters Business Watch includes small retailers, trades, small businesses and any other businesses.