British Columbia has launched a new $5 million public safety program aimed at reducing robbery, shoplifting, vandalism, property damage and other non-violent street crimes in high-traffic business areas.

Terry Yung, minister of state for community safety and integrated services, said the program is a "direct result" of feedback from police and the business community across the province.

"We heard loud and clear what they wanted," Yung told Friday's news conference in Vancouver. "Street-level crim…