What Works Well in Retail Crime: Leading the “Tackling Retail Crime Together” Strand:
As the lead for the “What Works Well” strand under the Tackling Retail Crime Together programme, my focus has been on identifying, testing, and sharing effective approaches that genuinely reduce retail crime and improve outcomes for businesses and communities. This work has centred on collaboration, innovation, and building a strong evidence base to inform future practice.
A key milestone has been the establishment of a multi-agency working group, bringing together representation from retailers, the security industry, policing, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), and Business Crime Reduction Partnerships (BCRPs). This group has created a valuable platform to share insight, align priorities, and promote consistency in approach. By breaking down silos, we have been able to identify common challenges, such as repeat offending, reporting barriers, and evidence gaps, and work collectively on practical solutions. The strength of this group lies in its shared commitment to action and its ability to rapidly translate learning into practice.
A significant area of my work has focused on Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) as a tool to manage prolific offenders. Working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Home Office, I have supported efforts to improve the effectiveness and consistency of CBO applications at court. This has included clarifying evidential requirements, strengthening case file quality, and advocating for a more streamlined process. In parallel, I have collaborated with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and Wiltshire Police to explore and develop CBO panel approaches, which provide a structured forum to review cases, ensure proportionality, and enhance decision-making. These panels have proven to be a strong example of best practice in targeting repeat offenders.
Another important strand of activity has been exploring opportunities for peer review and academic evaluation. Understanding “what works” requires more than anecdotal evidence; it demands critical analysis and external challenge. I have actively sought input from partners and academia to assess interventions, identify learning, and build a credible evidence base. This includes reaching out across policing and industry to gather examples of effective crime prevention measures, such as security tagging, store design improvements, and offender-focused interventions.
Learning from large-scale operations has also been central to this work. By examining initiatives such as Operation Zoridon and Operation Super Tornado within the MPS and North Yorkshire, we can better understand the impact of coordinated enforcement activity, partnership engagement, and targeted disruption. These operations provide valuable insight into how focused efforts can drive meaningful reductions in retail crime.
Looking ahead, the next phase of this work will focus on knowledge sharing and accessibility. Plans are underway to create a dedicated platform where effective practice, case studies, and guidance can be shared widely across policing and partners. In addition, we are exploring the creation of a podcast series to highlight innovation, share frontline experiences, and promote learning in a more accessible format.
Ultimately, this strand is about building a clear, evidence-based understanding of what works, and ensuring that this knowledge is shared, adopted, and continuously improved to tackle retail crime more effectively.
Chief Inspector Ryan Chapman – Force Lead For Retail Crime
