The NFRN (National Federation of Retail Newsagents) is to be a first national sponsor and official partner of Facewatch & Partners. In a three year deal, the shops can use the Facewatch crime recording website. According to the not-for-profit company Facewatch, it’s a way to record shoplifting and other low-level crimes as they occur, providing statistics on crime, whether reported to the police or not.
Members will also be able to use the full Facewatch crime reporting system for reporting crime to the police. Facewatch can now be used to report low level crime anywhere in London. Website: www.facewatch.co.uk.
The NFRN crime recording system will allow shop owners and managers to record an incident as soon as they are aware of it and without leaving their tills; as well as record data on the level of shrinkage that occurs and currently goes unreported. For NFRN members who do not have CCTV cameras, package deals will be available through Facewatch-NFRN partners.
Kieran McDonnell, National President of the NFRN, said: “The NFRN has been campaigning on the problem of retail crime for many years and I am delighted that we have now been able to take this leading role in bringing Facewatch, not only to all our members, but all independent retailers. I think this initiative will be a big step forward in helping members fight the menace of crime in their shops whilst at the same time equipping us with the statistical information that will enable us to achieve the level of police and government attention this problem deserves”.
Paul Baxter, NFRN Chief Executive, and Simon Gordon, Facewatch Founder, are among invited speakers at the Retail crime conference on April 19. Other speakers include Lord Henley, the Home Office crime reduction minister.
Paul Baxter, NFRN Chief Executive, said: “Since 1919 the NFRN has supported newsagents across the UK and our mission is to continuously look at ways to improve our members’ businesses and make our communities safer. As new technology appears, we see it as our role to investigate and introduce solutions we feel will provide benefits to our members. In these difficult times we have seen a rise in shoplifting, violence and criminal damage amongst our members. Facewatch is not only a cost effective way to record and understand the scale of the problem to help us present the facts to the police and the Government in order to compel change – it is the only scheme in existence which allows us to do so. We look forward to working with Facewatch on this exciting and unique product and are proud to be its first national sponsor and official partner.”
Simon Gordon, Chairman of Facewatch added: “This is the most exciting news we have been able to announce since we formed Facewatch in early 2010. Working with the NFRN is incredibly important for us as it enables over 16,500 newsagents and convenience stores to benefit from Facewatch and work together and with the police online to reduce low level crime. We will be launching the new crime recording system for the NFRN and will develop the product in line with the special requirements of busy newsagents. This interaction is of upmost importance as there are a wide range of different needs and requirements from every type of retailer and we intend to ensure Facewatch delivers a simple and valuable service to business owners, the police and the public.”
And Sir Hugh Orde, President of the Association of Chief Police officers said: “I am pleased to support Facewatch for its practical use of technology in the fight to combat crime. The system is a catalyst for businesses and police to join together; a great example of citizens and communities getting involved alongside the police.”
