What is the Retail Crime Action Plan
In October 2023, the Government launched the Retail Crime Action Plan.
The plan, which the NBCC was heavily involved in drafting, sets out advice for retailers on how to provide the best possible evidence for police to pursue in any case, making clear they should send CCTV footage of the whole incident and an image of the shoplifter via the digital evidence management system as quickly as possible after an offence has been committed.
Where CCTV or other digital images are secured, police will run this through the Police National Database using facial recognition technology to further aid efforts to identify and prosecute offenders – particularly prolific or potentially dangerous individuals.
The action plan outlines how police attendance at the scene for retail crime will be prioritised in circumstances where violence has been used, where a repeat or prolific offender has been detained or where evidence needs to be promptly secured.
It also outlines how all reasonable lines of enquiry will be pursued to identify offenders, secure evidence, seek to recover property and ensure witnesses are identified and interviewed.
Patrick said: “We are pleased to have played such a key role in drafting and developing the new Retail Crime Action Plan along with the NPCC. It demonstrates policing’s commitment to tackling shoplifting and provides clarity on how the police should respond to reports of retail crime. Importantly it also provides practical advice on how retailers can secure the best evidence possible to aid police investigations and help bring those responsible to justice.”
At the same time the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne, launched a new business and police partnership called Pegasus. Find out more here: Project Pegasus
Click below to download the Retail Crime Action Plan and the template statements which retailers can use when reporting crimes to the police.
