The National Federation of Retail Newsagents’ (NFRN) three-year deal with Facewatch & Partners enables over 16,500 independent shops to participate in a “groundbreaking initiative” to quantify an accurate picture of the prevalence of low level crime in our communities and take positive action to reduce it in partnership with police forces right across the UK.
The scheme will provide all 16,500 NFRN members with a bespoke crime recording module which will be a very simple way to record all shoplifting and other low level crimes as they occur, providing accurate and real-time statistics on crime across the UK, whether reported to the police or not.
Members will also be able to use the full Facewatch crime reporting system for reporting crime directly to the police as Facewatch is adopted by forces throughout the UK. Facewatch can now be used to report low level crime anywhere in London.
The bespoke 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 which currently goes unreported.
Package deals made available
Facewatch has already proven its effectiveness to reduce and deter low level crime by dint of pilots across London throughout 2011.
Now, for those NFRN members who do not have CCTV cameras, special package deals will be available through Facewatch/NFRN partners.
Benefits specific to the NFRN as founder partners include:
Comments from the leading participants
“The NFRN has been campaigning on the problem of retail crime for many years, and I’m delighted that we have now been able to take this leading role in bringing Facewatch not only to all our members but also all independent retailers,” urged Kieran McDonnell, national president of the NFRN.
“I think this initiative will be a big step forward in helping members fight the menace of crime in their shops while 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, the NFRN’s CEO, and Simon Gordon (Facewatch’s founder) will be speaking at the Retail Crime Conference on 19 April (where the headline speaker is Lord Henley) about this exciting world leading initiative.
“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,” suggested Baxter.
“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 among our members. Facewatch is a cost-effective way to record and understand the scale of the problem in order to help us present the facts to the police and the Government and compel change.”
Baxter added that Facewatch is the “only scheme in existence” which allows that to happen.
“We look forward to working with Facewatch on this exciting and unique product,” he enthused, “and we’re proud to be its first national sponsor and official partner.”
“Most exciting news” to date
Simon Gordon, the chairman of Facewatch, explained: “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.”
Gordon said: “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 the upmost importance as there are a wide range of different needs and requirements from every type of retailer. We intend to ensure Facewatch delivers a simple and valuable service to business owners, the police and the public alike.”
Sir Hugh Orde, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, added his support.
“I’m pleased to support Facewatch for its practical use of technology in the fight to combat crime,” he stated. “The system is a catalyst for businesses and the police service to join forces. It’s a great example of citizens and communities getting involved alongside the police.”
