New reporting system and intruder spray kits to tackle retail crime across Merseyside
The QR code will make it easier to report shoplifting
A QR code reporting system is being rolled out to Merseyside businesses to make reporting crimes, like shoplifting, easier.
100 Intruder Spray Kits are also being installed in shops across the city centre on Safer Business Action Day to help improve protection for businesses and shops against burglaries and robberies.
The QR codes are advertised on stickers and, once scanned, they link directly to the police online reporting page.
Once submitted, a crime reference number is generated which starts the investigation.
It has been trialled in Liverpool City Centre since September and Merseyside Police says there has been a 'significant increase' in reporting during that time.
The spray kits have been funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner and police with the aim of deterring offenders from committing crimes in shops, preventing stock from being stolen and protecting customers and shop workers.
The offender marking sprays, which will only be used by trained security guards and retail staff, leaves a unique DNA code that can only be seen under UV light.
It stays on the offender for weeks and can be forensically used to link them back to a particular incident, therefore improving the likelihood of a successful conviction at court.
Body-worn cameras are also being handed out to independent retailers at St Johns Shopping Centre and Bold Street with the aim of deterring anti-social behaviour and giving police more evidence when investigating crimes.
A range of new measures were set out in September to target offenders and keep retail staff and customers safe, which included:
- Joint patrols with Liverpool ONE and St Johns teams
- Dedicated spray kit training for security guards and retail staff
- The rollout of the QR code reporting system for businesses
- Giving city centre businesses a dedicated police officer from the local policing team
Between September 2023 and January 2024, crime reports have increased by 37.5% on the previous year.
The number of offenders charged and put before court for shop theft offences in the city centre has gone up by 47.8% and the number of people receiving a caution has increased by 85.7%.
ACC for Local Policing, Criminal Justice and Prevention Jenn Wilson, said:
"We continue to engage with retailers to offer crime prevention advice and support as part of our commitment to keeping business in Merseyside safe. The impact of retail crime is significant on staff working within those businesses, other customers who are present and the business itself.
"We will continue to work in collaboration with retailers and partners, to prevent crime from occurring and tackle habitual or repeat perpetrators ensuring we protect staff, customers and businesses from this type of criminality.
"This is being delivered by providing a visible presence on our high streets, dealing with reported crimes efficiently whilst supporting retailers with crime prevention advice and measures such as body worn cameras to deter crime and provide more opportunity for evidence to be collected ensuring offenders are brought to justice."
Liverpool Inspector Jack Woodward, the force lead for business crime, said:
"Safer Business Action Day provides us with a great opportunity to engage with retailers and businesses and show our ongoing commitment to reducing retail crime and pursuing those offenders who cause misery within our communities.
"We recognise the impact business crime has on staff, customers, and the wider economy. That’s why we are committed to delivering a visible, targeted, and robust response to shoplifting and the violence and abuse against shop workers, to help make our high streets and retail spaces across Merseyside safer for us all.
"By working together with businesses, we have been able to identify and apprehend repeat offenders, set measures in place such as Criminal Behaviour Orders and put prolific shoplifters behind bars.
"Our work doesn’t stop when this day of action ends – so please come forward with any information about retail crime in your area so we can continue to disrupt and apprehend offenders who blight communities."
Merseyside's Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, said:
"Retailers and businesses are the backbone of our communities.
"They provide a vital service to our communities, and I’m committed to supporting initiatives which protect them, their employees, and their customers. One way we can do this is by investing in vital funds into positive schemes which can prevent crime and improve the safety of businesses.
"As we mark Safer Business Action Day, I’m pleased we can announce these new measures all focused on tackling business-related crime. I’m also looking forward to meeting with retailers and business groups to discuss how we can work even closer together to keep retail workers safe and prevent the harm business crime can cause."
Shaun Holland, Director of Operations at Liverpool BID Company, said:
"We are committed to being the voice of our businesses around the table for Safer Business Action Day. This is a part of national wider week of action that articulates the challenges our businesses face day in and day out, from shoplifting to threatening and violent behaviour.
"It's vital we work closely with our partners at Merseyside Police to ensure that the concerns of those who keep our high streets and city centres are both reported and acted on. We understand the pressures our partners are under, with not enough resources, but these are crimes that impact on everyone in our city, and we welcome the opportunity to make them heard.
"We will also share success stories, particularly our DISC app which is helping the reporting of crime from the shopfloor, empowering our retail partners and their staff. It's important that we all come together to show we take this seriously and we are united in our fight against this kind of crime."