Crime commissioners urged to work with retailers

Future Police and Crime Commissioners are being urged to work with retailers to reduce crime in the community.

Six months ahead of the commissioner elections in November, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) identified retailers as key figures in the fight against crime. In a report to all candidates, the BRC recommended working with retailers on areas such as defining business crime, building crime reduction partnerships and encouraging more reporting.

“Retail is at the heart of all our communities,” said BRC director general Stephen Robertson. “It can be vulnerable, as last summer’s riots showed, but it’s also a valuable resource in the fight against crime. In six months’ time, when the newly elected Police and Crime Commissioners officially take up their posts, we want to make sure they know how a good relationship with the retail sector will benefit them and local people.”

Robertson praised retailers already participating in crime reduction schemes and recommended that the incoming Police and Crime Commissioners reward their hard work by offering more support.