Businesses gather to discuss ways to tackle retail crime
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.
Representatives gave talks explaining how they could help both businesses and police before demonstrating many of their services.
These included alarms, fogging machines, and UVvisible identification fluid which can be used to mark products or perpetrators.
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.
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: “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.”
He said national backing on tackling shoplifting and other retail crime was welcomed.
“Many issues can be beyond local control, and there are many challenges which face the courts, particularly around sentencing.”
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 while ensuring that we, the police, have the best opportunity to disrupt and pursue those who choose to steal or use violence.”
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 crim.”
Matt Gilmartin, Director Smoke Screen, one of the security providers who demonstrated their products at the event, said: "”t’s particularly rewarding when new retail partners are astonished by the effectiveness of security solutions.”