Simpler way of reporting shoplifters welcomed by retailer association
Simpler way of reporting shoplifters welcomed by retailer association
The National Business Crime Centre (NBCC), in collaboration with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and police forces, has developed a standardised witness statement for retailers submitting CCTV evidence to the police through digital evidence management systems (DEMS).
This standardised statement ensures retailers provide all the necessary information for the police to process CCTV footage as evidence in criminal cases.
Until now, different police forces have used different statement formats.
Retailer workshops highlighted the need for a consistent statement format to help both retailers and the police.
Andrew Goodacre, chief executive of the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira), was among those welcoming the move.
He said: “We have been asking for some time for extra guidance and clarity on how businesses can best use CCTV images when reporting crimes.
“Shop theft continues to be a problem and more businesses have invested in CCTV to protect their employees and their stock.
“We welcome this initiative and urge all retailers to use it when reporting crimes so the perpetrators are prosecuted.”
Standard witness statement developed to support retail crime investigations
Related Knowledge Center: Climate economics
Climate change is now a driver of the world’s economy. The impact is profound:
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- Vulnerable communities are increasing climate-related investments, hardening infrastructure and taking other protective measures.
- Investment in carbon capture and storage technologies is increasingly rapidly.
- Governments are making investments and crafting regulations to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
On top of all of this is the cost of uncertainty. As the Fourth National Climate Assessment, released in 2018 by the U.S. Global Change Research Program, says, “The assumption that current and future climate conditions will resemble the recent past is no longer valid.”