The Coventry Retail Crime Operation

The Coventry Retail Crime Operation was re-launched in February 2009. It is tasked with the prevention and detection of retail crime within the City Centre. There are roughly 200 members which are drawn from the retail and leisure sectors. In addition to this our membership also includes such partner agencies as West Midlands Police, The Community Drugs Team, Youth Offending Service, The Probation Service and The British Transport Police. This ensures a multi-agency approach to dealing with retail crime.

Every member receives radio/s to communicate with over our retail link radio system. This ensures that all known offenders are passed on to each store that they enter by other members and also our 24 hour CCTV control room. It is this particular approach which leads to the apprehension and conviction of so many offenders. In addition to 24 hour support from our CCTV control room members also benefit from:

• Bi- Monthly Retail Security Meetings

• Weekly Intelligence Briefings

• A Retail Exclusion Scheme aimed at prolific offenders

• Regular Intelligence handouts at least once every 3 months

• Active Crime Intelligence System to record all instances of shop theft

• Analysis of stock loss for each individual store

• Lease of a digital camera to photograph detained offenders

• Regular Radio Training opportunities

• Advice and training in how to deter or how to arrest offenders

• Representative attending daily Police Briefings

• Secure website for members to share intelligence

Exclusion Scheme

In particular the exclusion scheme is one of the most effective ways of reducing stock loss within your store. If a particular offender is reported to have committed 3 separate offences in a period of 12 months then s/he will be excluded from entering every member’s premises for a period of 1 year. However we have a zero tolerance approach to violence against our members and should any person be guilty of an assault s/he will automatically be given an exclusion order. This person’s photograph will be circulated and members will ask this person to leave should they try to enter their store.

MRCI

Coventry RCO is also represented on the Board of Directors of the Midland Retail Crime Initiative (MRCI) by our operations manager Trevor Pepper. The MRCI is a regional scheme created back in 2001 and draws membership from all local retail crime partnerships within the midlands and further a field. MRCI hold regular meetings to identify prolific offenders that travel through the midlands and in some cases the UK. This information has led to the arrest and prosecution of many persons that have travelled to Coventry to commit offences.

BID SUPPORT

Coventry was voted in as a Business Improvement District (BID) back in 2005. It is through this that the scheme is wholly funded. This enables members to receive additional services at no extra cost. It also ensures that some of the smaller or independent retailers receive the same support as the larger chains.

For More Information or to join the Coventry Retail Crime Operation please e-mail or phone Marc Dwyer on 024 76 832671.

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