FEATURE
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Zero tolerance Julia O’Reilly asks whether Retail Crimewatch - an information and image sharing exclusion order scheme could make retail a safer place for all
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f crime pays, then retailers are footing the cost. The dogs on the street know that Irish retailers today are being subject to not only rampant theft, but verbal and physical abuse while going about their day-to-day business. So dire is the situation, that in the latest CSNA National Security Report, 88% of retailers believe legislation and its enforcement in the sector is insufficient. Of course, retailers can actively update their in-store security and ensure staff are sufficiently trained. But how much can one team do to protect itself and its customers? For some guidance, ShelfLife looked at Retail Crimewatch, a crime reduction initiative that is ongoing within the Belfast One district in Northern Ireland. The information and image sharing exclusion order scheme was introduced by Belfast City Centre Management (BCCM), with support from the Department of Justice (DoJ), the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) and retailers.
Network of retailers Over the course of 15 years, the partnership has built up a network of 400 retailers across Northern Ireland. These retailers work with statutory agencies to prevent prolific convicted retail theft offenders from entering their premises. The scheme follows a simple three-step approach: • Identify - identify offenders (new or existing) by sharing images with other members • Keep out – issue an exclusion order for anyone caught shoplifting in a store • Kick out – members of the initiative can prevent offenders from re-entering their store Image sharing is at the heart of the scheme’s
ShelfLife April 2021 | www.shelflife.ie
effectiveness. Each month, scheme members receive images of some of Northern Ireland’s most prolific shoplifters. Thanks to the image sharing policy the network maintains, a shoplifter in one member store will quickly become a known face across all member stores. Those profiled have been convicted through the courts and banned from entering member stores. By distributing such images, the scheme increases staff vigilance, boosts awareness of known offenders and assists in reducing stock loss, all while helping retailers maintain a safer environment for staff, customers, and members of the public. This co-operative approach empowers shop owners to work together against a joint menace. Under the scheme, retailers are entitled to issue an exclusion order to offenders. From the date the order is issued, the offender is no longer permitted to enter the premises of any scheme member for a one-year period. Members can issue such exclusion orders to those found committing theft, attempting to commit theft, or being equipped for theft.
“significant accomplishment in deterring prolific offenders and helping to create a safer environment for staff, customers and the public”.
Retailer response As for the response from retailers, Duggan says it has been ‘very positive.’ “Businesses acknowledge that being a member of Retail Crimewatch can help reduce loss, increase profit margins and protect the sustainability of their businesses,” she added. “Retail crime is a given in the sector, but not all retailers can afford a security team to target shoplifting.” Twelve months into a turbulent year, the benefits of having a wide support network are abundantly clear. While retailers have been working tirelessly to adapt to the latest health and safety protocols, many have seen a spike in anti-social behaviour from customers in response to mask-wearing. At the same time, mandatory mask-wearing has made the task of identifying offenders more challenging.
Promising results The crime prevention system is proving a rampant success. In the past three years, the scheme has seen over 100 convictions for burglary and 47 custodial sentences. Retail Crimewatch is “the only retail crime reduction scheme in the UK that prosecutes retail offenders for trespass or burglary,” says Geraldine Duggan, city centre manager, Belfast City Centre Management Company, speaking to ShelfLife magazine. “By being in the premises of any member of the Retail Crimewatch scheme, that person is trespassing. The PSNI can then escalate the charge to burglary which carries a custodial sentence.” For Duggan, the scheme has achieved a
Under the Retail Crimewatch scheme currently running in the Belfast One district, retailers are entitled to issue an exclusion order to offenders
