The consensus follows on from the first National Business Crime Solution meeting that took place in early December and which was attended by retailers including Next, JD Sports and Wilkinson’s Hardware Stores.
The gathering highlighted that a new centralised solution which enables retailers to share information locally, regionally and nationally would not only reduce business crime country-wide, but also create a safer shopping environment on Britain’s high streets.
Cardinal Group’s forward-thinking CEO Jason Trigg explained to SMT Online: “There are a number of local crime partnerships and radio schemes in existence. Although there are several of them that are effective, the majority operate in isolation and therefore fail to deliver clear, measurable outputs.”
Trigg continued: “The National Business Crime Solution will provide a platform which facilitates simple dissemination of information among all relevant stakeholders, nationwide and at all levels. That platform is flexible to the industry’s requirements and above all, facilitates the tackling of criminal activity in a far more dynamic and cost-efficient way with a clear return on investment.”
In addition, Trigg stated: “What’s also unique about this solution is that the participating companies will play an active role in shaping it, its outputs and services that are delivered to their businesses, in turn helping to set the standard for the future of business crime sharing at all levels across the UK.”
Live information and intelligence sharing platform
The National Business Crime Solution is underpinned by a live information and intelligence sharing platform which is used by a number of UK retailers for incident reporting and widely employed to combat retail crime in the USA.
Registered users enter business crime data into the system and this information is then collated, analysed and disseminated to other participating retail members locally, regionally, nationally or by sector.
Mick Phipps, the head of loss prevention at Wilkinson’s Hardware Stores and chairman of the National Business Crime Solution initiative, added: “The reaction to the National Business Crime Solution has been extremely positive. With the recent documented rise in general crime, and organised retail crime in particular, it’s not surprising that so many retailers are keen to take part in the pilot.”
In conclusion, Phipps stated: “With the backing of some of the industry’s senior figures, there is no reason why it will not be possible to share business crime on a national level.”
The National Business Crime Solution pilot will kick-off in Q1 2012. Any retailers who wish to take part should contact Louise Henham, the group marketing manager at Cardinal, on (mobile) 07771 855036.
