Feature
PUTTING CRIME ON THE RAC
Retailers Against Crime has made a Neil Armstrong leap in tackling
crime and fraudulent behaviour in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Could
it soon be a force to be reckoned with in the rest of the UK?
Maxine Fraser, National Executive for Retailers Against Crime, looks at
how the scheme is making strides in preventing crime in shops and
shopping centres across the regions.
IN 1997, several retailers saw the Maxine Since the launch in Northern Ireland
potential to develop a national Fraser offenders recognised as travelling
information-sharing scheme in from Scotland across the water and
Scotland to detect and deter vice versa.
criminals impacting on their stores’ Due to the increase in offenders
profitability. Retailers Against Crime travelling from RAC regions
(RAC) was launched with 47 stores throughout the UK and further, the
and today operates in 20 towns and opportunity has arisen and been
cities in Scotland from Inverness to embraced for RAC to further develop
Dumfries, circulating information to and expand the network, during
over 500 stores and 20 police 2009. The RAC board of
intelligence offices. The scheme is prevention. It is through this management is continually looking
managed and funded solely by its integration of intelligence and on to future projects and further
members, and based in Stirling. site personnel that the effects of the refinements. A number of these
RAC is also closely linked to Retail network are most effective. involve a further integration with
Crime Partnerships and Police In today’s commercial climate, not the security sector – working on the
throughout the UK, and exchanges only are security and loss prevention principal of preventing criminal
information with Safe City and Town personnel faced with local area activity before it occurs. Some
Centre Initiatives in Scotland. Due to criminals, but they are also examples of this include the
the success of RAC, retailers in challenged by professional, travelling development of an enhanced
Northern Ireland saw the potential criminals which are proving to be database which, through a secure
of operating a similar scheme and in prolific throughout the UK. They are connection, would allow instant
July 2007, Retailers Against Crime frequently involved in other criminal transmission of information to
was launched in Northern Ireland to activities including drugs, robbery, member sites – including the possible
258 stores throughout the Province. housebreaking and fraud. It is only investment in technology to allow
The scheme is registered under through the intelligence provided by individual security personnel
the Data Protection Act and RAC that such individuals and groups handheld information receivers
comprises a database collecting can be detected and activities based possibly on Airwave or
information from its members on prevented. Some examples of this Blackberry technology.
people committing crime in the include: Like any network, the
retail environment. The information • Members of well-known Glasgow development of success is closely
received is then analysed and target criminal gangs identified from linked to development of member
lists are produced detailing the most footage and images, who were participants. In this sense, RAC
active offender images, and then responsible for bulk thefts in welcomes any enquiries to join or
circulated to all members. Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, York sponsor – please email
The success of RAC is founded on & Stockport. racs@sbcc.org.uk or telephone
the basis that a security network is • A male identified in Glasgow who 01786-471451. RF
created involving retailers, Police had been involved in various bulk
and security professionals thefts in England.
throughout the retail sector. It is • Male and female fraudsters
acknowledged by RAC that both recognised from a RAC bulletin and
individual retail businesses and subsequently arrested in Carlisle.
shopping centres employ security • Members of a well-known ‘Till
professionals within their premises Dipping’ Team identified from
to deter theft and aid loss footage, subsequently arrested.
22 • RETAIL FRAUD
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