Retailers Against Crime (RAC) was launched 1997 with participation from 47 outlets. Today, it operates in over 2,500 major stores.
RAC recognises the massive losses incurred each year by retailers caused by highly organised thieves operating in their members’ stores. The primary aim of the organisation is to assist its members’ crime prevention strategies by helping to reduce shrinkage, cut down on theft (both internal and external) and identify and reduce exposure to risk.
The RAC method is a tried-and-tested model which provides a range of tools to assist with these problems. Information on crime and acts of violence in the workplace are submitted to RAC for analysis. Intelligence bulletins are then produced featuring images of the most prolific suspects and circulated to members, crime partnerships and police services throughout the UK.
Facewatch, which was launched in October 2010, is the UK’s only national crime reporting and image sharing solution which enables CCTV evidence (both moving and still) to be sent directly to the police.
It’s also the only online system approved by Secured by Design, the business arm of ACPO (the Association of Chief Police Officers).
Initially in use with the Metropolitan Police Service but now rolling out fast across the UK, the Facewatch solution is improving the detection of crimes as well as acting as a powerful deterrent.
Seeing the Facewatch brand in stores, restaurants, pubs and clubs also improves security and safety for customers and employees.
The Facewatch system saves retailers money by facilitating more efficient procedures as well as reducing shrinkage. Indeed, Facewatch is working with a number of key partners (such as Honeywell) in order deliver the very best crime prevention solutions to its clients.
Joining forces to make a difference
Maxine Fraser, the national operations director at RAC, commented: “RAC and Facewatch have a strong mutual interest to make a difference with deterring and detecting crime and acts of violence within our member premises. We look forward to working together with Facewatch to promote Best Practice.”
Simon Gordon, executive chairman and founder of Facewatch, stated: “Ensuring that Facewatch is in tune with current thinking in crime reduction practices in the retail sector is key to ensuring we develop our online reporting system such that it’s compatible with, and useful to the widest number of users.”
Gordon continued: “The concept of a national image database driven by the Facewatch open platform and that all crime reduction organisations are able to use to share information is one of our key goals. Working with the RAC, who has been highly successful in creating a partnership of 2,500 stores across the UK, we hope to learn how we can best use our resources to make retailers safer and their stores more secure for consumers.”
Thomas McCrindle is the loss prevention manager for Gap, Gap Outlet and Banana Republic. He said: “Retailers Against Crime has provided our stores with an excellent and first class service over the past 12 years. Working in partnership with RAC has enabled our stores to receive targeted intelligence, in turn assisting the store teams to be proactive in dealing with small, prolific and professional offenders.”
He added: “Over the years RAC has supplied information and support that has helped identify, deter and aid in the investigation of incidents resulting in successful outcomes. When you consider that a bulk theft, till theft or card fraud can result in losses equating to hundreds and in some cases thousands of pounds at a time, the cost to invest in RAC membership is small and represents an investment in protecting profits.”
