Network retrieves £135,000 of stolen goods
A NEW crime-fighting network to tackle shoplifting and antisocial behaviour in Birmingham city centre has recovered more than £135,000 of stolen goods in its first year.
City Safe was launched after Retail BID Birmingham members became concerned about business crime and the safety of staff and visitors.
The subscription scheme uses a new digital radio network, instant text messages and access to CCTV imagery using datacompliant software managed in a central control room.
More than 200 radios are now being used in the city centre, Southside and Colmore Business Districts. The system has more than 640 live profiles of persons that have been apprehended and dealt with.
Recently a prolific shoplifter entered a city centre department store where she attempted to steal £235 of men’s boxer shorts.
City Safe officers were called to apprehend the woman, at which point it was discovered she had 20 pairs of designer glasses in her handbag, stolen from a nearby opticians. The total recovered amounted to £4,500.
In November two women were detained for theft at a large retailer in High Street where £600 of jewellery was recovered.
Retail BID and City Safe officers attended and the incident was reported to the police.
One of the women was found to be wearing an improvised pouch under her main clothing, which was designed to conceal much larger stolen items.
The pair were linked to a group targeting beauty products and jewellery in High Wycombe and Reading.
City Safe members pay £10 per week to be a part of the network, which is being led by Retail BID in partnership with West Midlands Police, British Transport Police and retail centre security staff.
Data suggests £135,000 of goods were recovered and 1,142 incidents resolved since February. This means the detained person was either banned from a store or had some form of police involvement.
City Safe is a member of the National Association of Business Crime Partnerships (NABCP) and is being managed by Retail BID board co-optee Jonathan Cheetham.