Across some parts of the country, retail crime figures have soared in the wake of the credit crunch. According to research by Independent Retail News, retail crime in London shot up by 15% in the second half of last year, while in Derbyshire offences jumped 43% from 1,459 between July and December 2007 to 2,092 in 2008. In North Wales, shoplifting has risen by 10%.
Operated by the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and supported by Merseyside Police and Citysafe (the Liverpool Crime Reduction Partnership), the scheme on Merseyside has helped Liverpool city centre to buck the national trend for an increase in crime during recession.
Massive drop in shoplifting
Crime rose by 5% across the wider Merseyside region, though Liverpool city centre – Merseyside’s commercial heartland – bucked the regional trend with a 3% decrease in retail crime on the previous year. Liverpool city centre also saw a massive 16% drop in shoplifting incidents over the Christmas period, compared to 2007’s figures.
The recorded crime figures for offences of shoplifting in the city centre since 2002 are as follows:
2002: 1640 incidents
2003: 1385 incidents
2004: 1240 incidents
2005: 1511 incidents
2006: 1488 incidents
2007: 1354 incidents
2008: 1317 incidents
This impressive reduction should be seen against the background of a massive increase in the number of retailers, including 160 stores in the new Liverpool One complex, and a jump by Liverpool from 15th to 5th in the national league of retail destinations.
Radio and CCTV-based security
Liverpool city centre’s scheme co-ordinator Tony Jopson told SMT Online: “The retail crime reduction scheme in the city centre is very vibrant and energetic. There are now 203 members enrolled, and they keep us very busy. Every store has a radio which enables all members of the scheme to communicate with each other, alerting on the presence of shoplifters and other thieves. The radio’s can also be used to contact the city’s CCTV operators and the police. In addition, we issue our members with monthly crime updates on current criminals, and crimes that could directly affect their business.”
Jopson added: “It’s this partnership working that’s keeping our city centre a safe place to do business, to shop and to visit.”
Established in 1850, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce is one of the North West’s oldest and most prominent business institutions. With over 1,800 members and accreditation from the British Chambers of Commerce, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce provides a fast-paced business network and lobby group for Merseyside companies.