How ShopWatch Schemes Help Retailers Reduce Crime During Peak Trading Periods

World Cup Retail Boom Brings Opportunity – and a 48% Rise in Retail Crime

Major sporting events are always good news for Britain’s high streets. More shoppers, longer dwell times and increased spending provide a welcome boost for retailers and hospitality businesses alike.

Recent retail figures following the World Cup demonstrated exactly that, with UK retail sales recording their strongest monthly performance since April 2021. However, alongside increased revenue came another trend that many retailers only know too well.

According to the Convenience Store, retail theft rose by 48% above the daily average, with incidents of store violence against shop workers rising by 20% during the tournament. 

For many businesses, these statistics weren’t surprising.

Whenever footfall increases, whether through major sporting events, Christmas shopping, Black Friday or local festivals, the opportunity for organised shoplifters, anti-social behaviour and violence often increases too.

The challenge for retailers isn’t simply responding to crime after it happens. It’s having the ability to communicate quickly enough to prevent incidents escalating in the first place.

Why Communication Matters

When a known offender enters a shopping centre or town centre, every second counts.

Being able to instantly warn neighbouring retailers, security teams, CCTV operators and local police can make the difference between preventing a theft and dealing with the aftermath.

That’s why hundreds of towns and city centres across the UK rely on ShopWatch schemes.

Rather than individual businesses working alone, ShopWatch creates a connected community where retailers share intelligence in real time through secure two-way radio communications.

What is a ShopWatch Scheme?

A ShopWatch scheme is a collaborative crime reduction partnership that connects retailers with neighbouring businesses, CCTV control rooms, police, councils, security teams and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs).

Using dedicated two-way radios, members can instantly:

• Alert neighbouring stores to known offenders
• Report suspicious behaviour
• Request immediate assistance
• Share live intelligence
• Coordinate responses with CCTV and police
• Help protect staff and customers

At Apex Radio Systems, we currently support more than 280 ShopWatch and PubWatch schemes throughout the UK, helping businesses work together to reduce retail crime and create safer town and city centres.

More than a radio

While communication is at the heart of every ShopWatch scheme, successful crime reduction also relies on dependable equipment and ongoing support.

Every Apex scheme includes:

• Latest generation two-way radios with emergency button, GPS and crystal-clear audio
• Secure private communication network
• User training and best practice guidance
• Next working day replacement service if equipment develops a fault
• Operational body-worn cameras for additional staff protection and evidential recording 

The result is a reliable communication network that businesses can trust when it matters most.

Proven Results Across the UK

The success of ShopWatch schemes is measured not simply by technology, but by the confidence they give businesses.

Craig Robson, who has worked in Redcar for over 30 years, explains: “The radios have become an essential part of how businesses in Redcar work together to tackle retail crime, support one another and create a safer town centre; what stands out most is the sense of community it creates.“

Newly launched schemes are already delivering similar results.

Evelyn Hegarty, from Police Scotland, said following the launch of the Edinburgh ShopWatch scheme: “Since ShopWatch was launched in Edinburgh, we’ve seen early successes. The radios provide a valuable line of communication between retailers, the police, and the CCTV operators, resulting in offenders being quickly apprehended. Retail staff have told us they feel more supported at work.”

Building Stronger Partnerships Against Retail Crime

Creating safer town centres requires more than technology.

That’s why Apex Radio Systems has recently partnered with the National Retail Crime Alliance (NRCA), UK Partners Against Crime (UKPAC), Retailers Against Crime (RAC) and SentrySIS to strengthen collaboration between businesses, police and community .

Together, the partnership aims to:
🔹Improve Intelligence Sharing
🔹Strengthen partnership collaboration
🔹Better identify repeat offenders
🔹Enhance operational response
🔹Create safer environments for businesses, staff and the wider community.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Our Schemes

How can I join a scheme?
It’s as simple as filling out our application form HERE. We can have you set up and active in as little as 24 hours once your application has been approved.

How can I set up a scheme?
As long as no existing scheme is in place, you’ll need some involvement from a business crime reduction partnership (BCRP) or business improvement district (BID); alternatively, approval from councils, police forces, or local shopping centres will be acceptable. You’ll also need to provide evidence of stores in the area willing to take part in a scheme; if there aren’t enough stores in the area wanting to join, sadly we wouldn’t be able to set up a scheme.

My ShopWatch radio isn’t working?
We’re sorry to hear your radio isn’t working. Please contact our technical support team on 0191 228 0466 for further assistance. We guarantee to replace your faulty equipment by the next working day to ensure your system is back up and running with no downtime.

I’d like to include a body-worn camera in my hire?
BWCs are the perfect addition to any ShopWatch or PubWatch scheme. In the package you’ll receive the camera, battery and a charger, all ready to use in an instant.

Don’t Wait Until Crime Becomes Your Problem 

The World Cup statistics serve as another reminder that periods of increased footfall often bring increased risk.

Whether it’s Christmas shopping, Black Friday, school holidays or major events, retailers who work together are better placed to protect their staff, customers and businesses.

Whether you’re looking to join an existing ShopWatch scheme or establish one in your area, our team can help you build a safer, more connected retail community.

Get in touch with our ShopWatch specialists today to discuss your requirements or request an application form to get started.