Co-op's new crime-fighting trial cuts shop theft significantly

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 08:32 · Archive

Crime has fallen at Co-op stores following a trial of a new reporting system with Devon and Cornwall Police that improves tracking of repeat offenders.

Crime has fallen at Co-op stores following a trial of a new reporting system developed with Devon and Cornwall Police. The retail giant said cases solved have almost doubled thanks to the trial, which is currently operating across Co-op stores in Devon and Cornwall.

The new system enables stronger intelligence sharing, improved tracking of repeat offenders and closer collaboration with police. Co-op staff upload incident details, CCTV, photos and impact statements, allowing police to record and allocate crimes in as little as 30 minutes, a process the Co-op said could previously take up to seven days.

Data from the trial revealed that 90 per cent of identified shop theft offenders are repeat offenders, with just 50 individuals responsible for around a quarter of all shop theft offences in the Devon and Cornwall force area, often with more than 100 known offences each. Paul Gerrard, director of campaigns, public affairs and policy at the Co-op, said the reduction in retail crime was welcome but described it as 'green shoots' with crime levels remaining higher than before the pandemic. Discussions are under way with other police forces about rolling out a similar approach more widely.

How it is being reported

• Major UK retailer's new crime-fighting trial slashes shop theft as rollout eyedCrime has fallen at Co-op stores following the trial of a new system including improved tracking of repeat offenders.Worcester News · 21 Oct, 07:53
• Major UK retailer's new crime-fighting trial slashes shop theft as rollout eyedCrime has fallen at Co-op stores following the trial of a new system including improved tracking of repeat offenders.Malvern Gazette · 21 Oct, 07:53

In this story: Co-op · Devon and Cornwall Police · Devon and Cornwall

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