CONCERNS over rising shop theft and violence have been brought into sharp focus in Tameside.
Ashton-under-Lyne MP Angela Rayner has put her support behind new technology designed to protect retail workers.
During a visit to Marks & Spencer at Ashton Moss, the MP saw first-hand how a crime intelligence platform called Auror is being used by shops and police to track offenders and spot patterns in criminal activity.
The system allows shop staff to log incidents in real time and share information directly with police, helping to build a clearer picture of repeat offenders – many of whom are linked to multiple incidents across different areas.
New figures from Greater Manchester highlight the scale of the issue. Around one in 12 retail incidents involve violence or weapons, while one in seven includes threatening or aggressive behaviour. Repeat offenders are said to be three times more likely to be violent.
Ms Rayner said: “Shop workers should never have to go to work fearing for their safety, yet far too many are facing violence, abuse and intimidation on a daily basis.
“That’s why it’s so important we support practical solutions that help police and retailers work together more effectively to tackle crime and bring repeat offenders to justice.
“By using technology to identify patterns, target the most harmful individuals and share information quickly, we can make our high streets safer for workers, businesses and communities alike.
“This kind of partnership working is exactly what we need to crack down on organised retail crime and ensure offenders are held accountable.”
‘Using technology is a game-changer’
Auror is already used by major retailers including Tesco, Boots, Currys, Morrisons and Home Bargains, as well as police forces around the world. At Marks & Spencer, staff say the impact is already noticeable, with nine out of 10 employees reporting they feel safer at work since its introduction.
The technology is particularly focused on identifying so-called “high-harm” offenders. National data suggests just 10 per cent of offenders are responsible for around 70 per cent of retail crime – with many involved in organised activity spanning multiple regions.
Paul Fagg, Director of Law Enforcement Partnerships for Auror in the UK and Ireland, said the ability to connect incidents is key.
“UK retailers like M&S are doing a fantastic job in coming together with other retailers within the Auror Network to surface the full scale and severity of the retail crime problem we’re up against,” he commented.
“For retailers and police, using technology is a game-changer. They can deal with high volume crime at scale, connect what would previously be considered one-off crime events and use that insight to focus precious resources on the top 10 per cent of offenders causing the most harm within communities.
“These retail crime insights help retailers make informed decisions to keep their people safe, while also identifying the highest harm, violent and prolific offenders.
“Digital collaboration also reduces the time police spend manually taking reports, collecting evidence, and investigating an individual’s full breadth of offending. One UK police force has achieved a 10 per cent higher charge rate through Auror reports and can process retail crime reports 47 hours faster on average.”