Consistent police recording of business crime is needed to galvanise a national response
After the Home Affairs Select Committee published its Violence and Abuse Towards Retail Workers First Report, the APCC's lead on Business Crime, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne, said she acknowledged the Committee’s recommendations and welcomed recognition of the progress made in some force areas, including Sussex, to tackle business crime.
She said: “As the APCC lead on Business Crime, I am working with Government and partners to better understand the scale of shoplifting, abuse and violence against shop workers, as well as examining the reporting, recording and response from the police.
"As a member of the National Retail Crime Steering Group, PCCs are keen to hear the concerns of businesses and shop workers. Because the crimes businesses are facing are not victimless crimes, we must also ensure that victims of violence and abuse are supported accordingly. I am working on behalf of all PCCs to encourage consistent police recording of business crime so we can galvanise a national response as well as making it easier and worthwhile for businesses to report in the first place.
"We have to break the self-defeating loop of low reporting levels and missed opportunities to gather evidence and share intelligence on offenders. We have technology and capabilities but we need common platforms and quicker collaboration.
"PCCs need to pressure their Chief Constables to recognise the true cost of business crime beyond the value of goods that get stolen."