RETAILERS, police, representatives from Reading’s Business Improvement Districts, and security businesses gathered in a retail unit in The Oracle to hear about tackling retail crime.
Following continued rises in theft from shops and violence against staff, stakeholders in Reading’s retail sector came together for the Fighting Back Against Retail Crime event, held in one of the centre’s retail units.
Cllr Tony Page, the mayor of Reading, attended, along with the newly re-elected Police and Crime Commissioner in Thames Valley, Matthew Barber, Reading BID’s Alexa Volker, and Local Policing Area Commander Steve Raffield.
They were joined by officers and PCSOs from Thames Valley Police, as well as staff from some of the stores in The Oracle.
Stalls provided information about crime prevention measures, including alarms from Klaxon, theft-prevention equipment from Smoke Screen, information sharing platform DISC, identification products from SelectDNA, surveillance from HikVision, and Security By Design.
Representatives of the business gave talks explaining how they could help both businesses and police through a number of products and services, before demonstrating many of their offerings.
These included alarms, fogging machines, and UV-visible identification fluid which can be used to mark products or perpetrators.
It follows a national crackdown on shoplifting in recent weeks, with the publication of a policy paper by the government last month in which the Home Secretary, James Cleverly, said that policymakers should take a “zero-tolerance approach” to retail crime.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak set out plans to crack down on theft, including by making the assault of a retail worker a standalone criminal offence.
They’re also seeking to expand the use of electronic tagging of offenders and focusing on “designing out” crime, which examines how product and service design can be used to deter incidents– moves welcomed by Reading’s Business Improvement District.
It also follows the renewal of Reading’s Business Improvement Districts, which mark a redoubled investment in safety and security measures in the town’s busiest areas.
These include the introduction of business wardens, who will focus on anti-social behaviour and shoplifting, and upgrading information and barring systems such as DISC.
The British Retail Consortium estimates that the cost of retail theft doubled in 2022-23, rising to £1.8 billion.
Violence and abuse against retail workers also doubled to over 1300 incidents a day across the UK.
Following his re-election as PCC for Thames Valley, Matthew Barber said at the event: “Back in January we launched the retail crime strategy here in Reading.
“We work with partners like The Oracle on what is an increasing concern not just for retailers but for the general public.
“My campaign over the last few months has very much been about continuing that work, but things like today ensure that we can actually deliver on that plan.”
He explained that national backing on tackling shoplifting and other retail crime was welcomed.
“It’s really important to have that backing– many issues can be beyond local control, and there are many challenges which face the courts, particularly around sentencing.
“And that’s not in our hands, so it’s really important to have that national support in tackling those issues.”
Reading Local Policing Area (LPA) Commander, Steve Raffield said: “This event is about all of us coming together in collaboration to create safer environments for retailers whilst ensuring that we, the police, have the best opportunity to disrupt and pursue those who choose to steal or use violence.
“Reading LPA is committed to its business communities and I’ve been pleased with the response from my officers – arresting violent and repeat offenders and obtaining Criminal Behaviour Orders to ensure ongoing protection. Policing has a significant part to play in this fight against retail crime and we will continue to develop our understanding of the key issues faced by those within our business communities whilst improving our operational response.”
The event was organised in partnership with Reading BID on behalf of all the retailers in Reading town centre. Alexa Volker, BID Manager, said: “Shoplifting makes a huge dent in the profitability of our town centre businesses. Over the last five years, the two wardens employed by the BID have recovered over £250,000 worth of shoplifted items, which while significant, is a small part of the financial losses felt by our town centre businesses.
“Through the BID, we are all working together to try and minimise the impact of retail crime and to ensure Reading town centre continues to be a safe place in which to work and a profitable place in which to run a business.”
Matt Gilmartin, Director Smoke Screen, one of the security providers who demonstrated their products at the event, said: “It’s particularly rewarding when new retail partners are astonished by the effectiveness of security solutions. It’s a testament to the innovative spirit that thrives in our collaborative efforts to tackle retail crime.”
