Crime reporting service Facewatch has joined forces with the National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN).

The scheme will offer all 16,500 NFRN members with a bespoke service that will record all shoplifting and other retail crimes as they occur, providing accurate and real time statistics, as well as enabling users to quickly report crimes to their local police force.

The partnership, which will last for three years, also means that the NFRN will have a seat on the Facewatch & Partners board.

“In these difficult times we have seen a rise in shoplifting, violence and criminal damage amongst our members,” said NFRN chief executive Paul Baxter. “Facewatch is not only a cost effective way to record and understand the scale of the problem to help us present the facts to the police and the government in order to compel change – it is the only scheme in existence which allows us to do so. We look forward to working with Facewatch on this exciting and unique product and are proud to be its first national sponsor and official partner.”

Facewatch chairman Simon Gordon said the partnership would enable the service to reach more independent retailers. “Working with the NFRN is incredibly important for us as it enables over 16,500 newsagents and convenience stores to benefit from Facewatch and work together and with the police online to reduce low level crime,” he said. “We will be launching the new crime recording system for the NFRN and will develop the product in line with the special requirements of busy newsagents.”

Facewatch was recently made free of charge to retailers. Those interested in signing up to the scheme can do so at www.facewatch.co.uk.

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