Shop Alert

Shoplifting is not a petty crime. It costs retailers around £3 billion a year. Fighting the problem can be an uphill struggle. Hard-pressed store staff are not just up against "traditional" shoplifters. They increasingly face well-equipped, fast-moving, professional thieves working in teams. But stores can work together:

> By monitoring the shoplifters.

> By making sure that every store in the area is aware of which criminals are on the prowl, what they look like and where they are.

> By letting centralised security staff/or police know exactly what is happening minute by minute.

By ensuring that criminals are tackled effectively with stolen goods still in their possession and with less risk of them running away or assaulting store staff.

Town centres protected with a SHOPWATCH Scheme become a place where crime doesn't pay. Shoplifting professionals will go elsewhere to find "soft" targets for their activities.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

It works as an intelligence system, not as a police alert facility. It cannot be used in place of 999 calls, police alarm lines or other emergency arrangements. However, if a suspect is apprehended or if help is needed urgently a call on the SHOPWATCH scheme can be used to alert all network users. This gives peace of mind to staff who can easily feel isolated and outnumbered by criminals. It also encourages everybody running town centre businesses to work together to make their town a safer, wealthier and more relaxed place. A place the criminals who prey on honest business people will be avoided.

A FLEXIBLE SYSTEM

Combating shoplifting is the main function of the SHOPWATCH Scheme, but it is also highly effective against other forms of crime like card and cheque fraud, vandalism and violence. The scheme gives instant communications offering other benefits, from broadcasting information on fires and lost children. The Pubwatch Schemes can be used to track known offenders and prevent them access so that others can enjoy themselves knowing that they are safe.

HOW DOES THE SCHEME WORK

A small pocket radio gives instant, clear access to a communications network across a town. This system must not be confused with the cheaper and short range radio scheme which offer poor range and security. Our schemes use a base station relay, boosting signals to all parts of the town centre, including basements in screened areas.

Radios can be carried by store detectives, security officers and shop assistants. Smaller stores can keep a radio behind the counter. Any message broadcast from a radio that suspects thieves are active can give a description which will be heard by others on the net. Shopping centre security personnel or police officers monitor the network at all times. They can, in turn, broadcast back messages to other users.

PUB WATCH SCHEME

Imagine the scene – a group of customers come into your pub.  They’re having a great evening but then a fight breaks out in the pub which they are not involved in. Even though they’ve had a great evening, the only thing your customers remember about it – and your pub – is the fight.  They decide not to return to your pub again.

Incidents like this have a huge impact on the success of your business – customers aren’t going to go to a pub with a poor reputation when there are plenty of others in the area they could visit.

That’s just one of the reasons why Pubwatch are set up – to help licensees work together to create a safe and secure environment for customers.

What is Pubwatch ?

PUBWATCH is a community based crime prevention scheme.  It is organised by the licensees themselves to afford each other confidence and support, as well as some form of protection.  The scheme, at its simplest, is a message-passing link between licensees, the object of which is to combat violence and other criminal conduct.  It also provides better communication between licensees and police and provides a forum for the discussion and solution of problems relating to violence on licensed premises.

What are the advantages of Pubwatch?

For the Licensed Trade:

>Membership of Pubwatch deters troublemakers

>Reduces the risk of assaults on licensees, staff and customers

>Reduces the risk of damage to property leading to reduced repair bills

>Increases co-operation with the police leading to a more effective response to requests for assistance

>Improves the public image and a sales environment in which trade can prosper

>PEACE OF MIND!

For Police:

>More information is provided about potential troublemakers

>More precise details in calls for assistance aid more efficient use of resources

>Violent incidents associated with licensed premises decrease

>Liaison and understanding with the licensed trade improves

Does Pubwatch work?

YES!

Police statistics show a significant decrease in violent offenders in pubs where Pubwatch is in operation.  The rapid growth of the scheme clearly shows the value placed on Pubwatch by both the licensed trade and the police.