The Home Office Crime Prevention Minister, the Lib Dem MP Norman Baker has been confirmed to speak at the next Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) Crime Prevention Seminar.
The seminar on Tuesday, February 25 at Methodist Central Hall in London, will give retailers the opportunity to put their question to the Minister of State for Crime Prevention and Chair of the National Retail Crime Steering Group on the Government’s policy to crack down on crime against local shops. Other speakers at the seminar include:
Georgie Barnard (Metropolitan Police Service, Crime Reduction and Partnerships)
Jamie Treloar (East of England Co-operative, Loss Prevention Manager)
Anamari Bishopp (Crimestoppers, Head of Development)
James Lowman (ACS, Chief Executive).
The event will also feature the launch of the first ACS Crime Report, featuring statistics and guidance for retailers on how to avoid crime in their store. The latest Voice of Local Shops survey data has shown that shop theft and abuse remain a significant problem for independent retailers, with 75pc being the victim of shop thieves over the last year and more than half reporting that they have been a victim of verbal or physical abuse.
ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “ACS works closely with Government to ensure that crimes against retailers are taken seriously, and that the message is clear that crimes like shop theft are not victimless. We welcome the Minister’s attendance at this event, and urge retailers to attend the Crime Prevention Seminar and voice their concerns to him directly.”
