The Tackling Retail Crime Together website, run by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and the Association of Convenience Stores, was launched at the BRC’s Annual Retail Crime Conference. It uses Case Studies to show how retailers are working to prevent crime, reduce re-offending and support local policing.
The BRC says the introduction of elected Police and Crime Commissioners in November next year will pose a number of challenges to the retail sector.
Retailers want to know they are recognised as a vital part of safe and vibrant communities, and to be genuinely involved in setting priorities for tackling local crime.
There’s also concern about the failure to measure business crime properly.
Website allows retailers’ efforts to be documented
The BRC’s most recent survey found the annual cost to retailers of crime is GB pound 1.1 billion. There has been a 10% increase in the amount retailers themselves are spending on protecting their staff, stock and premises, which now totals GB pound 210 million per annum.
The new website allows retailers to further demonstrate the part they are playing in crime prevention and shows they are entitled to expect support from their local police forces in return.
British Retail Consortium director general Stephen Robertson said: “The riots in August rightly put a spotlight on the issue of retail crime. The crimes of theft and vandalism committed against shops damaged local communities by wrecking valuable services and putting people’s jobs in danger. Retail found itself in the frontline of the attacks when, ironically, it’s actually in the frontline of the solution.”
Robertson continued: “Retailers of all sizes are contributing to efforts to prevent crime and create safe neighbourhoods. They run projects to oversee offenders on community sentences and to provide resources for local beat officers, for example.”
Retailers are also playing their part by investing time and money in crime prevention for the good of their local communities.
“The message this new website sends out to the Police and Crime Commissioners of the future is: ‘We expect you to support us in that…'”
Shared resources on positive projects
Association of Convenience Stores CEO James Lowman commented: “Tackling Retail Crime Together is a great online resource for retailers to share the many positive projects that they participate in to stop retail crime.”
He explained: “The clear message from existing Case Studies is that retail crime is best tackled in partnership with communities, police and local authority agencies. I hope this site continues to develop and can be used as a learning resource for retailers across the country.”
Lord Henley, Home Office minister for crime prevention and anti-social behaviour reduction, said: “Shops are the lifeblood of our communities. We recognise the cost and disruption retail crime causes to business as well as the damaging effects for communities and consumers. We are working with business and Trade Associations to improve the understanding of crimes against business and to find effective solutions.”
Lord Henley is soon to chair his first meeting of the National Retail Crime Steering Group, which was set up in 2007 by the Home Office and is co-chaired by the British Retail Consortium.
“In addition,” said Lord Henley, “from November 2012 directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners will make forces truly accountable to their communities, retailers and businesses to ensure they appropriately address local policing concerns.”
The new website can be found at: www.TacklingRetailCrimeTogether.co.uk
The BRC is currently carrying out its Annual Retail Crime Survey. The next edition will contain an extra section to assess the impact of the summer’s riots.
All retailers are encouraged to contribute to the survey, whether or not they are in BRC membership. The survey will be published in January next year.
Sign up for this week’s I4S webinar on retail security
On Wednesday of this week at 3.00 pm, Info4Security begins a new series of webinars. The first is run in conjunction with Axis Communications and focuses on retail security.
For a synopsis of the event click here and to register access our dedicated registration page
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