The Northampton Retail Crime Initiative (NRCI), police and the Northampton Business Improvement District (BID) ran an operation over the festive period to prevent thefts from premises in Northampton. The agencies came together between 21 November 2011 and 8 January 2012 to tackle thefts. The partnership aims to reduce retail crime and anti-social behaviour throughout all shopping areas of Northampton.
Sergeant Matt Phillips from the Central Safer Community Team said: “As a result of the operation, we are pleased to report that during this period there were 4.5 per cent fewer thefts in Northampton compared to the same period in 2010, and thefts across the whole county were down by 5.6 per cent.”
“Actual thefts recorded for the period in the town centre were 49 with 39 of these NRCI member stores. For the same period last year 54 thefts were recorded. In view of the current economic climate this is a good result.”
Mike Brennan, chair of the NRCI, said: “We work with the police on the Christmas initiative every year, and this year we teamed up with the BID to focus our efforts between 21 November 2011 and 8 January 2012. The Northampton Retail Crime Initiative (NRCI) was created in July 2001 and is a non profit making organisation. It is fully supported by Northamptonshire Police to tackle retail crime across Northampton.
“Since the scheme was established, it has evolved and expanded into an excellent example of how a Retail Crime Initiative can reduce shop theft, fraud and anti-social behaviour affecting businesses, shoppers, visitors and retail staff alike. The scheme also covers other areas of the town including Weston Favell, Riverside, Sixfields and Wootton Fields.
“The BID funded two full time Police Community Support Officers for the three months of the operation, and we feel that their involvement played a vital role in the key aims of the NRCI – to prevent, disrupt and deter. This close working partnership can only help to improve the town, and the NRCI are pleased that steps have been taken to move forward in this way.
“We are hoping that working together with the police and BIDs will enable the scheme to be even more proactive to target shop theft throughout the coming year and help reduce retail crime.” For further information, visit retailcrime.org.
