Reacting to new guidance issued by the Justice Secretary Jack Straw, the BRC has welcomed the retention of fixed penalty notices and the improved guidance for their use – but has also suggested that more safeguards ought to be put in place.
To ensure the notices are only used for first-time offenders, the BRC wants the police to correctly identify the offender and record these results on the Police National Computer.
Stephen Robertson, the BRC’s director general, said: “Fixed penalty notices are appropriate in some circumstances. It’s right they have been retained and the rules regarding their use clarified. As we told Jack Straw, retailers are still seriously concerned that penalty notices are being issued far too widely. They should only be used for first-time shoplifters, not repeat offenders.”
Robertson added: “The police need to check the identify of the shoplifter at the time of issuing the penalty notice, and make sure it’s actually recorded on the national database. In this way, details of offences are available to all forces.”
In conclusion, Robertson stated: “There also needs to be stricter enforcement such that fines are actually paid. As with the Child Support Agency, money could be removed from offenders’ salaries to guarantee fines are not avoided.”
Recession exacerbates retail crime
More than 90% of retailers say retail crime has increased over the last 12 months, and more than four fifths believe the rise has been caused by the recession.
The findings are part of a BRC snap-shot crime survey, the results of which are at odds with headline figures from the British Crime Survey. The latter reports no change in most crime types.
The BRC figures show half of retailers report retail crime has increased by between 11% and 20%, while more than 90% of respondents cite some increase in shop theft. For his part, the Home Secretary Alan Johnson acknowledges an increase in “some acquisitive crimes”.
The majority of retailers (nearly 80%, in fact) have responded to the increase in crime by boosting their spending on crime prevention. This includes more CCTV, improved product protection and better staff training.
Stephen Robertson explained: “Retail crime is not victimless. It unnecessarily forces up costs for retailers and their customers. It also increases staff intimidation.”
He continued: “Retailers have responded to this recession-driven increase in retail crime by beefing up security to limit the increase in thefts. We expect everyone involved in law enforcement and criminal justice to treat shop crime with the same seriousness. The police service must understand the importance of a thriving retail sector to communities, and the need to respond promptly to incidents. Repeat offenders and those who threaten our staff must be prosecuted properly.”
Robertson concluded: “As the British Crime Survey noted, over half of respondents thought their local police could not be relied on to deal with minor crimes, which includes retail crime.”
Annual Retail Crime Conference
The BRC’s annual Retail Crime Conference is the must-attend event for all retail professionals closely involved in security, crime prevention, loss prevention, fraud and e-crime. Year after year, over 200 attendees participate in the day.
Once again, the organisation has sourced ideas from its heads of security group in order to understand the most pressing and challenging issues facing the industry. The 2009 conference will focus on:
Fraud and e-crime
Fraud is a crime that is second only to the illegal drugs trade in terms of its impact on the UK. A report commissioned in 2007 by the Association of Chief Police Officers estimated the cost of fraud to be at least GB pound 14 billion a year. According to APACS, plastic card fraud alone cost nearly GB pound 610 million in 2008, an increase of more 14% over 2007. The proceeds of fraud are often used to fund more serious crimes, such as people and drug trafficking.
Members of the BRC identified that with the growth in multi-channel retailing, fraud and e-crime would be a key priority for the Heads of Security Committee. The BRC’s Fraud and e-crime Working Group has been working with a range of law enforcement agencies to ensure that retailers receive a better response to e-crime/fraud offences. Delegates will hear from these agencies.
Emerging trends in the sector
Through presentations, discussion and interactive breakout sessions the conference speakers will identify the emerging trends in crime against retail. Against these trends, the conference will identify new and innovative initiatives to help meet these trends whether through policy changes or investment in new technologies.
Information sharing for more effective crime prevention
In response to a number of consultations, the BRC is working on a series of new initiatives to help its members through sharing information and expertise. These sessions will highlight the work being done and how retailers of all shapes and sizes can benefit.
The final session of the day will feature a discussion panel with a group of retail Heads of Security who will highlight their business priorities for the coming year. This session provides a vital opportunity to hear, interact with and have your say in front of a number of key figures working at the heart of the battle against retail crime.
This event regularly attracts over 200 delegates from retail, police, crime partnerships and the security industry. With these numbers and this mix, the BRC conference is not only an excellent networking event, but also provides an essential opportunity to hear and share ideas with all those involved in preventing crime and minimising losses throughout the supply chain.
Programme and speakers for the 2009 event
08:30 Registration and Coffee
09:15 Chairman’s Welcome by Professor Martin Gill, director, Perpetuity Research and Consultancy International
09:30 National Fraud Authority: Dr Bernard Herdan, chief executive, National Fraud Authority
09:50 To Be Confirmed
10:10 City of London Police Force – National Fraud Reporting Centre: Commissioner Mike Bowron, City of London Police
10:20 Serious Fraud Office: Richard Alderman, director, Serious Fraud Office
10:40 Discussion Panel: Fraud and e-Crime: Dr Bernard Herdan (chief executive, National Fraud Authority), Commissioner Mike Bowron (City of London Police), Richard Alderman (director, Serious Fraud Office) and Mike Wyeth (Board security adviser, Shop Direct Group)
11:00 Tea and Coffee Break
11:30 To Be Confirmed
12:00 Breakout Sessions: delegates choose from one of the following sessions (further sessions to be confirmed shortly)… A. The Cash Management Revolution, Sponsored by G4S or B. Counter-Terrorism
12.30 Peter Kaye, head of business protection and continuity, John Lewis Partnership
13:00 Buffet Luncheon and Networking
14:30 Update from Government: Alan Campbell MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Crime Reduction
14:50 Support for SMEs: Andy Pope, National Business Crime Partnership manager, The Co-operative
15:10 Partnership Information Sharing
15:30 Discussion Panel: Challenges for Retail Heads of Security
16:00 Tea and Coffee Break
16:30 Conference Close
This year, the venue is the Radisson SAS Portman Hotel, 22 Portman Square, London. The pricing structure is as follows:
BRC Retailer Members: GB pound 190 + vat ( GB pound 218.50), BRC Associate Members and Non-Member Retailers: GB pound 220 + vat ( GB pound 253.00), all others: GB pound 250 + vat ( GB pound 287.50). Early Bird Rate: Book before 30 July and receive a 20% discount. Group discount: Receive a 15% discount when three or more delegates book from the same organisation at the same time.
To book your place, contact Laura Gallop on (telephone) 020 7854 8971 or send an e-mail: events@brc.org.uk