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27 February 2004
An innovative new scheme aimed at making the high street a safer place was launched today by the Home Secretary, David Blunkett, Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir John Stevens and Joe Garner, Operations Director of Dixons Stores Group.
‘Shop Watch’ sees shop floor staff trained as special constables in order to combat retail crime, which currently costs the industry a staggering £2.25billion a year.
The launch coincides with the second ever ‘National Specials Weekend’, which kicks off today with special constables around the country out in force, demonstrating the varied and demanding work they do, while a variety of promotional events to help attract new recruits are also planned.
Mr Blunkett said:
"Policing is not just the job of police forces, everybody has a responsibility in the fight against crime. The Shop Watch scheme is an excellent example of how police, retailers and local people can work together to make our communities safer.
"Special constables are the ultimate volunteers, the link between communities and their police forces and an invaluable part of the extended police family. The ‘National Specials Weekend’ provides us with an opportunity to celebrate the contribution they make to our society."
Sir John Stevens, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, is excited by the potential of Shop Watch.
"Shop Watch is a win-win scheme. It makes sense for business and it makes sense for the Metropolitan Police. It increases our uniformed presence and when these Specials are not in uniform, they will still be in the stores, with the knowledge from the briefings they have had, giving us plenty of extra eyes and ears."
With the initial pilot set to go live in Camden in the coming weeks, it is envisaged that Shop Watch will go nationwide in the near future.
Employees who volunteer for the Specials will be supported with fully paid leave to attend the Met’s Special Constable training course. Once fully trained, these ‘Shop Watch Specials’ will also receive additional leave for spending time on patrol with the Special Constabulary.
While never ‘on duty’ in the workplace, the Shop Watch Specials will provide a reassuring presence to other staff members during their regular working hours.
Joe Garner, who is helping co-ordinate Shop Watch for Dixons, said:
"People want to do this so if we give them paid time off then we open the door to all the people who have considered joining the Special Constabulary but felt they didn’t have the time."
Having this additional uniformed presence in the high street will act as a deterrent to would-be criminals, therefore reducing the amount of theft. With this drain on finances limited, Dixons can set about channelling their resources into providing the best possible service to customers – both on the shop floor and on the shelf.
The local community also benefits. Retailers realise that a safe and attractive commercial centre will draw shoppers in, creating a vibrant high street where people enjoy spending time.
The solution is already delivering strong results. Dixons currently have a number of staff who have independently trained as Specials and, in the areas these staff work, recent audit losses are 39 per cent lower than average.
Staff already involved in Shop Watch have spoken about the benefits. All of them believe it is an excellent initiative and they have gained great rewards from their police work. Their training has helped them develop as a person while other staff members welcome their experience in store.
Making London the safest major city in the world is of paramount importance to the Metropolitan Police. Along with Dixons Stores Group and the Home Office, Shop Watch will help the Met work towards achieving this aim.
Notes to Editors
For further information please contact Helen Kennedy/Simon Fisher at HR Communications on 0207 230 7914/0494 or out of hours, the 24-hour Press Bureau on 0207 230 2171.
More information on specials
Specials Weekend will run from 27 – 29 February inclusive. It has been organised jointly by the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers.
Information about the Special Constabulary can be found on the website:
www.specialconstables.gov.uk (new window)
The Special Constabulary is a voluntary body drawn mainly from the community served by each local force. Specials have full police powers and carry out a range of police work under the supervision, and support of, regular officers. Specials give a few hours each week, typically evenings and weekends.
The number of serving Specials was 11,037 at 31 March 2003. Home Office/Association of Chief Police Officers ‘Good Practice Guidance’ on all aspects of Specials’ recruitment, management and deployment is being produced for Forces, with Home Office funding of up to £70,000 provided to help kickstart the implementation of this guidance and boost recruitment and training.
Volunteering is a direct way of providing for community engagement, one of the underpinning themes of the National Policing Plan 2004-2007.
Many forces are also increasing the opportunities which exist for volunteers to help (non-warranted) police staff in roles ranging from administration to front counter service in hard to reach areas.
