Plymouth businesses given a boost and urged to use free crime reporting system

Police are encouraging businesses to join Plymouth Against Retail Crime (PARC) and sign up to a free app which allows them to report incidents in a faster, more efficient way.

Officers are visiting local shops, cafes and other businesses to chat to staff about the SentrySis cloud-based platform and explain how the system works and allows businesses to share crime information with police and each other. The system also highlights examples of anti-social behaviour (ASB).

As well as the support of Devon & Cornwall Police, the PARC initiative is supported by Plymouth City Council and Safer Plymouth and continues to be rolled out during national Safer Business Action Week which started on 10 November.    

Plymouth Chief Inspector Paul Laity said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to work in partnership and for local businesses to meet our officers. Police will be engaging with business owners and advising them of the value of joining the PARC community and the SentrySis platform. 

“This work is supported by Plymouth City Council and Safer Plymouth and cuts across a number of our Force priorities to make streets safer under the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.

“We know there is under reporting of incidents and many outlying businesses want help and speedier ways to report crime or ASB and share information with us - as well as amongst themselves. One of the benefits of the new system is that retailers can also upload CCTV images to allow police to investigate more promptly.  

“Retailers will be able to communicate and share data and images of suspects with one another, helping to build that intelligence picture and identify where resources are best directed to combat crime. The app shows latest incidents, people to be on the lookout for and also displays recent successful outcomes at court which serves to improve public trust and confidence.”

The funding for PARC and the new app, which can be accessed via a mobile phone or laptop, is provided by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez explained: “PARC is a fantastic business led crime reduction scheme and a great example of collaborative working. My office is helping by funding for 18 months to help ramp up business interest in the new reporting system. 

“I would encourage businesses to sign up to the initiative and also the app which not only make it easier for businesses in the city to report incidents, but helps police build robust cases ready for prosecution, especially around prolific repeat offenders.” 

The police visits to traders will take place in a phased approach and the PARC business co-ordinator will carry out follow up visits. On Tuesday 11 November police officers and members of PARC visited shops in Devonport, outside of Plymouth city centre. The shops included Tesco express and Co-op, both of which have signed up to PARC and support the initiative.  

Martin Worthington, Manager of Plymouth Against Retail Crime (PARC), added: “Safer Business Action Week gives us an opportunity to highlight the power of collaboration. By combining technology, communication, and partnership working, we’re ensuring Devonport’s business community feels supported and protected, as well as the business community in other parts of the city. The SentrySIS app is a game changer for how businesses can report and respond to incidents.”

The initiative supports a wider commitment by Devon & Cornwall Police to reduce retail crime, increase business confidence, and ensure offenders are held accountable through better reporting and intelligence-sharing.

Safer Business Action Week is an annual initiative organised by the National Business Crime Centre. The week is supported by police forces and gives a particular focus to tackling shoplifting and other crime associated with the retail environment. Devon & Cornwall Police are running operations across the two counties and carrying out visits to businesses, working closely with partners to reassure traders.   

For more information about the SentrySis platform please visit SentrySIS Crime Management Software - Police Constabularies

Any business owners who wish to contact police to find out more about how it can help them should contact coordinator@parcplymouth.com  

For more information about Safer Business Action Week visit News Article - Devon & Cornwall Police