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?
