The recent Channel 4 TV documentary Secrets of the Shoplifters has prompted a business crime body to disassociate itself from ‘sensationalist’ TV programme-makers. The Association of Business Crime Partnerships (ABCP) says that it has been approached by a number of partnerships and retailers. Such TV programmes they say trivialise shop theft and undermining the consequences of this criminality for retailers. The latest programme, which has resulted in a complaint to Channel 4, follows on from a previous similar programme on C4, which ABCP and another partnership gave a great deal of support and help to, only, they say, to be similarly badly misrepresented.
Episode two, series two, of Secrets of the Shoplifters (that you can view online on the C4 website) featured London pickpockets. Episode one, series two, featured York and Brighton anti-shop theft work.
Richard Barron, chief executive of ABCP said: ‘I understand that a number of partnerships have recently been contacted by the BBC to contribute to similar programmes on shop theft.
ABCP has had several discussions with the BBC, Channel 4 and independent programme makers regarding programme content and BCRP participation. The results of these discussions have been disappointing.
“There is no interest in programme makers making serious and informed programmes about shop theft, its consequences, the work of BCRPs in both preventing and detecting retail criminality, and the economic and social consequences of such criminality on businesses, staff and local communities. Programme makers are only interested in sensationalist interactions between the criminals, store detectives and police, particularly where those participating are characterised as depicted in the recent programmes.
‘ABCP has taken a view that it can no longer support or contribute to programmes on shoplifting, when that support is rewarded in such a manner. If, in the future, a programme was proposed to be a serious examination of retail crime, taking into account the economic and social consequences on business and communities, we may reconsider our position. However, we would require at least some editorial control on programme content to guarantee that any agreement with programme makers were honoured; and as this would not be agreed to, we do not feel it is the best interests of BCRPs and their retail members to be associated with programmes of this type.
‘These programmes demean the good work of BCRPs and their retail partners in tackling retail crime in our towns and cities. If BCRPs are approached and asked to participate in similar programmes in the future, we strongly urge you to seriously consider the implications and repercussions of taking part, particularly as you will have no control over the final output, regardless of what your are promised by the programme makers. At the very least, please call either Mike Schuck or myself to talk through the implications of participating before making any commitment. You may want to discuss this with your members who may well be contacted independently by potential programme makers.’
