Fighting Back Against Retail Crime in Reading

8th May 2024

Reading retailers joined Thames Valley Police (TVP), Reading Business Improvement District (BID) and a number of security businesses on 8 May to hear about the help available to the retail sector to fight back against the impact of retail crime locally.  

Retailers face a range of security issues on a daily basis, including shoplifting, stock loss and assault of their staff. Nationally, the British Retail Consortium estimate that the cost of retail theft doubled in 2022/23 to £1.8 bn while violence and abuse against retail workers had soared by 50% with over 1300 incidents a day across the UK.  

The Fighting Back Against Retail Crime event was organised to support retailers in Reading to protect their business, staff and stock, giving them insight into the many preventative measures available and helping reducing fear and anxiety of staff and customers who experience or witness these crimes.   

The event provided an opportunity for people working in retail to engage with security experts, develop active preventative measures and create safer working spaces. Following on from initial problem-solving partnership work between TVP and Three UK, the event featured a number of interactive demonstrations of preventative measures that can be employed individually or collectively to enhance current security provision – from fogging machines to the latest CCTV, noise deterrence, DNA sprays and remote monitoring. 

Retailers heard from security businesses about their products as well as from Thames Valley Police on what the force is doing operationally to pursue those who choose to do harm. 

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.” 

The Reading Central BID 2024-29 includes significant investment in making Reading town centre safe and secure, including: Business Wardens to focus on Anti-Social Behaviour issues as well as shoplifting; investment in CCTV operator costs; upgrading the DISC barring system for retailers and night time economy, as well as our betting shops; engaging retailers to attend Reading Business Against Crime (RBAC) events to benefit from the intelligence shared by Police, BID Wardens and Council staff; use of Town Safe Radio Scheme for the Business Wardens and encourage ongoing use of the radio to retailers and venues. 

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.” 

The Government announced a crackdown on retail crime in April through an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill which will bring in more severe punishment for serial or abusive shoplifters while assaulting a retail worker will be made a standalone criminal offence. Reading BID welcomes these changes, which in combination with preventative measures taken by retailers themselves will hopefully help fight back against retail crime.