CITY retailers are winning the battle to reduce shop thefts new figures have shown.
CityNet, the crime reduction arm of Worcester BID, has reported a ten per cent year on year reduction in the number of thefts from member stores between January and July.
A total of 98 businesses are part of CityNet which allows retailers to have a radio link with each other, police and the CCTV control room.
The figures show during the first seven months of the year there were 574 incidents compared with 638 in the same period in 2013.
Jack Hince, Worcester BID’s crime reduction manager, said he was delighted the scheme appeared to be working.
“Worcester remains a very safe place and we have a reputation amongst the criminal fraternity that the city is well on top of thefts from retailers.
“This is due to the excellent communication levels between member stores, CCTV, the police and the BID’s dedicated roaming store detective.”
It was also shown businesses who are CityNet members have a 94 per cent chance of a conviction and a return of goods when a theft occurs at their premises compared to just 36 per cent for non CityNet members.
Jessica Loxley-Clark, safer neighbourhood policing inspector, said they would continue to work with the BID team to make sure shoplifters got the message.
“We are pleased the results are going in the right direction and we have a highly successful scheme in place to further reduce these already low figures.
“We will continue to work with the BID to ensure shoplifters and other criminals get the message that they are not welcome in Worcester.”
