ShopWatch

Enabling local businesses to work together to cut crime and disorder

Presented byAndy Watterson

BusinessWatch Manager - DNCC

ShopWatch

• What is ShopWatch?

• How it works

• Who’s involved

• Benefits of ShopWatch

• Costs

What is ShopWatch?

Two equally important strands• Radio network connecting local businesses• Active group to share intelligence & best practice

• Aims– Reduce Crime and Disorder– Increased safety & security in shops– Faster response to incidents– Exclude the undesirables– Make Derbyshire Dales a nicer place to shop/work

History of Radio Schemes

Historically• Radios given to retailers

• Little or no support

• Left to retailers to drive scheme

• Radio usage wained

• Many schemes folded

Why have a scheme?

Shoplifting up nationally

• Area covered by ShopWatch scheme up 13%

• Area not covered by ShopWatch scheme up 38%

Radio Schemes in Derbys Dales

Bakewell- DNCC ShopWatchMatlock - DNCC ShopWatchBuxton - BRACAshbourne - Radios in town, no structured schemeGlossop - Radios in town, no structured schemeMatlock Bath - Scheme foldedWirksworth - Scheme folded

Radio Network

• Each User has a Radio• Police & PCSOs have radios• Antenna located in Town Centre• CCTV monitoring (where available)

ShopWatch – How it works

• Member radios for assistance

• Other members assist

• Police directed to scene

• Incident Report logged

• Offenders excluded

Exclusion Orders

• Identifies prolific offenders

• Collating evidence against them

• Members ratify Exclusion Order

• Banned from one, banned from all

Who’s involved?

• Local Businesses

• Derbyshire Police

• Scheme administrator (DNCC or similar)

• CCTV (where applicable)

Local Businesses

• Use Radio to report Crime/Suspicious Activity/ASB

• Help direct Police to offenders

• File “Incident Report” to DNCC

• Attend ShopWatch meetings

• Ratify exclusion orders

• Look out for each other

Police

• Acknowledge calls for assistance

• Respond to incidents

• Monitor CCTV (where available)

• Feedback to businesses

• Assist in Exclusion Order Process

DNCC

• Administrative Support– Host regular ShopWatch meetings– Circulate associated information– Exclusion Orders

• Technical Support– Radio Training– User Manuals– Theft reduction training

Retailer Training

• Raise awareness of shoplifting (techniques etc)

• Consider impact of shoplifting

• Offer guidance on reducing theft

• Better understanding of policing

• Promote best practice

Benefits of ShopWatch

• Proactive crime prevention• Optimises CCTV• Direct radio link to Police and neighbours

– Quicker response to incidents– Better Co-Ordination

• Increased employee security• Training of staff• Establishes legal framework for data sharing • Forum to share intelligence and information

Costs

• Scheme Membership– c£100 per year

• Radios– Some radios are Police funded– c£20 per month

Getting the best from ShopWatch

• Training staff increases:– Confidence– Effectiveness

• Tasking staff members

• Reporting

ShopWatch

Any Questions?