A pilot scheme to help make reporting crime easier for retailers in Sussex is to be extended, following success.
In 2021, police and crime commissioner Katy Bourne launched ‘One Touch Reporting’, in conjunction with National Business Crime Solution. Retailers are able to report incidents of crime quickly, in a bid to reduce the impact of repeat offenders in communities.
Initially the technology was being used in 22 Co-op stores in the region, and so far has helped log thousands of crimes, and identity dozens of offenders. However, Bourne confirmed to Better Retailing this week, the scheme is to be extended to a further 20 stores.
Policing minister stresses tackling retail crime is a ‘priority’
“We’ve taken reporting time down from 13 minutes to just two,” she said. “Now, we are looking to get another 20 stores on board.
“But, we have to do it gradually, because if we allowed everyone to use it the overall input would be so great that it would be difficult for the police to tackle incidents effectively due to the level of reports they would have to deal with.”
Instead, she stressed its “about getting those real prolific offenders off the streets, because they think they are untouchable” and its aim is to “dispel the myth that shop theft is low level crime”.
Elsewhere, Bourne confirmed she has recently secured government funding from the Safer Streets Fund to tackle anti-social behaviour. As a result, a small task force has been set up, to help accelerate 26 already-existing projects.
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