Last night (4 August), an ITV News report on the state of high streets in the UK aired, which spoke to retailers about retail crime and the support available for businesses populating them.
The report was prompted by news the Metropolitan Police had seen encouraging early results from new technology that’s been speeding up the process of crime reporting for businesses - and seeing encouraging results.
Today, the co-founder of the Croydon Business Association (CBA), a group of businesses in the south London suburb who regularly campaign for safer high streets, Benedict Selvaratnam (left), took to social media to commend the coverage.
Selvaratnam said: “High street businesses have been calling for faster reporting, better intelligence sharing and more effective action against retail crime for a long time.
“Shoplifting has a real impact on independent businesses, staff morale, investment and ultimately the vitality of our town centres.”
”We’re proud to support initiatives that help tackle retail crime and make our high streets safer.”
“We’re proud to support initiatives that help tackle retail crime and make our high streets safer. ITV News interviewed us about the challenges facing small to medium enterprises and the practical measures businesses have been asking for - including more efficient reporting of incidents and stronger partnership working between retailers and the police.”
While Selvaratnam welcomed the tech development from the Met, he noted more still needed to be done. “Technology alone isn’t the answer, but when combined with effective policing and close collaboration with businesses, it can make a real difference.
“We look forward to seeing more independent businesses across Croydon benefiting from initiatives like this as we continue working together to create safer, more vibrant town centres for everyone.”
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