A new system to help retailers report shoplifting has been launched across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Leicestershire Police is joining forces with Facewatch to help businesses report crimes using an online reporting tool, which allows them to upload their own CCTV footage.
The online form takes around 20 minutes to complete and creates an electronic crime report which is automatically sent to the force and passed on to investigators. All businesses from larger stores to smaller shops are being encouraged to sign-up to scheme. This basic tool is free and can speed up the reporting and investigation process, as officers will spend less time out collecting CCTV footage. By using Facewatch businesses can report at a time that is convenient to them and also monitor the progress of their crime online.
Supt Simon Cure from Leicestershire Police said: “Embracing new technology is crucial as we adapt to the challenges of modern day policing. This system saves time and money and enables us to offer a more efficient service to businesses – and importantly frees officers up to patrol the streets and fight crime. By signing up to Facewatch retailers can also benefit from additional options and join a wider network where they can communicate with other users and view photos of suspects shared by the force. By sharing information the system will allow us to gain a more complete picture of how crime and antisocial behaviour affects our businesses, helping us to develop our support for them in the future.
“We are working with stores to help them establish what makes them vulnerable to shoplifting offences. We can offer them crime prevention advice and work with them to help protect their businesses by looking at shop layout, training staff or any other measures that could potentially fix the problem.”
Facewatch allows businesses to analyse their own crime statistics and help to protect their own premises against crime by accessing the crime prevention advice available. More than 80 businesses and retail forums were invited to an information evening at force headquarters on May 9, to learn more about Facewatch and ask questions. The system, which has already been adopted by 13 police forces, is an online option is in addition to the service available to retailers. Visit www.facewatch.com.
