Warwickshire Retail Crime Initiative

The Warwickshire Retail Crime Initiative (WRCI) is a Countywide partnership approach to prevent and reduce crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) in retail and licensed business premises in Warwickshire.

Who we are and what we do:

Warwickshire Retail Crime Initiative is a membership organisation established to assist member businesses to respond in an organised manner to crime that affects their businesses, profitability, staff, customers and the local economy. By working together and sharing information about crime and those committing it, the partnership provides greater protection for its members and the local business community.

The Warwickshire Retail Crime Initiative Limited, (WRCI), is a county wide Partnership approach to prevent and reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in retail and licensed business premises in Warwickshire. Our aim is to achieve a safer environment for the whole community in which to live, work and socialise.

The day to day operation of these schemes is a partnership process between the members, WRCI Limited, Warwickshire Police, CCTV, local radio schemes, BID schemes and local Community

Safety Partnerships.

There are Pub Watch schemes at Leamington, Stratford, Rugby and Nuneaton.There are retail schemes at Leamington, Warwick, Kenilworth, Stratford, Rugby, Nuneaton, Bedworth and Atherstone.

The scheme members identify individuals who they wish to be barred from member premises, by submitting incident reports and are then provided, via a secure online system, with details of offenders who satisfy the criteria for inclusion on the scheme.

This process is managed by two administrators employed by WRCI Ltd. but housed by Warwickshire Police. They operate under a set of data sharing protocols agreed with Warwickshire Police.

Members hire or own radios which allows them to communicate with each other, the Police, Rangers, Town Hosts and CCTV Control Rooms.

The day time scheme for retail members ensures that prolific offenders are identified to all members and allows for early identification of them which results in the prevention or disruption of further offending in member stores. Persistent offenders are excluded from member stores.

The night time scheme with its exclusion process puts in place a strong control mechanism around member premises and town centres to prevent and reduce violent crime and disorderly behaviour. Violent or Persistent offenders are excluded from member premises.

Contact

Warwickshire North: wrcinorth@wrci.org.uk

Warwickshire South: wrcisouth@wrci.org.uk

To join WRCI please contact one of the Administrators or download and complete the WRCI Application Form and send it via email at email addresses from above.

Find out more about membership and other useful information on Warwickshire Retail Crime Initiative website by clicking here.

Crime Prevention

ACS has launched a new animation to help retailers and their staff manage and prevent violence and abuse in stores.

The 2018 ACS Crime Report estimates that there have been over 13,000 incidents of violence in store over the last year, with theft seen as the most common trigger of abuse in stores. There have also been an estimated 9,000 robberies in the sector in the last year.

The animation provides tips and guidance for people working in stores to ensure that they stay safe in the workplace and do everything they can to prevent violent and abusive situations from happening.

Crime Guidance

ACS has developed a package of guidance which aims to support retailers in assessing and managing the crime threats that their businesses face. The guidance focuses on partnership working as well as how to mitigate crimes including robbery, violence and verbal abuse, staff theft and best practice around preventing theft at self scan tills.

Every local shop is different and requires an individual assessment for what action they need to take. The guidance includes infomation on crime prevention equipment including CCTV, external security measures and locating high value products in sight of the till.

Download the ACS Crime Guidance

Training for storage, display, sale and delivery of knives

This training package comprising of five modules, is designed for everyone involved in the sale or delivery of knives including managers, retail staff and delivery drivers. It aims to standardise training across all retail sectors by raising awareness, improving knowledge and understanding of how good product placement and additional security measures can prevent theft and illegal sales of knives.

Each module comprises of a short animation and knowledge check.

Modules 2, 3 & 4 are essential for delivery drivers to enable them to ASSESS, CHALLENGE and CHECK age in order to comply with the requirements under the Offensive Weapons Act 2019.

Each module including the knowledge check will take 5-10 minutes to complete.

Customer Service is Key to Deterring Crime

The most effective form of prevention is to use customer service. Offenders thrive on anonymity and often leave premises when they are noticed. By knowing where your customers are, offering them your assistance and anticipating their needs will undoubtedly help reduce crime in your premises.

STAFFING
Offenders take advantage of busy stores during peak hours and when staff are busy, such as opening, closing and shift changes.

BE ATTENTIVE
Greet your customers. This lets any possible offenders know you are aware of their presence.

HELPING HAND
If you notice a suspicious person, approach them and ask ‘How can I help you?’ and make yourself visible in the vicinity.

STAY FOCUSED
Be on your guard when large groups enter the store together. Be aware of those who distract staff, enabling others to commit crime.

WARNING OTHERS
If you notice known offenders or suspicious activities, alert other staff immediately – many stores have a security code or ‘buzzword’ they use for this.

REPORT
News travels fast, so if you do detain someone for theft call the police and report the crime. If it’s known that theft will not be tolerated in your premises, this in itself can act as a deterrent.

Please find below information on various techniques offenders use, that might help your business identify potential crimes taking place at your premises.