Employer Supported Policing

Results

Employer Supported Policing started with the Shop Watch scheme in February 2004. We now have five different schemes for various sectors plus our main Employer Supported scheme. The results listed below are for the Shop Watch scheme as that is the longest running scheme, but these results can be spread across all ESP schemes. Your business too can benefit from participation!

ESP ShopWatch: a case study

For retailers

For the retailers taking part in the programme's early years, reported store theft halved. They have commented favourably on the scheme, and welcomed the presence of uniformed officers in stores. On the pilot scheme, £1,000s of credit card fraud was stopped and stock loss in one store was down 50 per cent.

On average, one arrest per tour of duty was made for possession of drugs, shoplifting, fraud, drunk and disorderly or breach of the peace. Arrests on the pilot scheme were quickly well into double figures.

Below are some of the key findings from the Shop Watch evaluation completed in February 2006.

• Over 70% of responding Shop Watch Special Constables have directly dealt with shoplifting and theft on duty.
• Overall levels of crime have reduced since Shop Watch launched in Oxford Street and in Camden.
• 74% said they had been involved in reducing crime whilst working in their store or off duty.
• 50% of responding Managers stated that theft had decreased since the introduction of a Special Constable.

For shoppers

For the shopping public, a safer shopping environment is created. The local community noticed a marked increase in uniform patrols and many have welcomed the scheme. Put simply, the public already feel safer shopping in Camden.

For the Special Constable volunteers in Shop Watch

For the new ShopWatch Special Constables there is a huge sense of pride and achievement in being a core part of the Shop Watch scheme. This new confidence has helped them at work and several have been promoted as a result. One officer in his workplace has prevented five cases of credit card fraud totalling an estimated potential loss of £2,000.

Below are some of the key findings from the Shop Watch evaluation completed in February 2006.

• Over six in ten respondents (63%) had made more than one arrest.
• Almost three quarters of respondents (74%) felt they had reduced crime and disorder in their patrol area.
• Over three quarters of respondents (78%) said they had been involved in detecting crime whilst working in their store or off duty.

For everyone

The Shop Watch Special Constables have contributed to bringing about a safe and attractive commercial centre, drawing shoppers in and creating a vibrant high street where people enjoy spending time. When Shop Watch recruits were interviewed for the Shop Watch evaluation, we found that, “Over three quarters of respondents (78%) agreed to some extent that their presence in the patrol area had created a safer shopping environment”.