Facewatch, the internet based system which allows business owners to work in partnership with the Police and allows crimes to be reported quicker, is going nationwide. Following successful trials in London a new Not for Profit company was set up to provide the crime reporting and image sharing functionality free to all businesses in the UK.

Personal theft, shoplifting and other low level crimes such as vandalism are expensive problems for business owners and the public. Facewatch provides a bespoke crime recording module which is a very simple way to record all shoplifting and other low level crimes as they occur, providing accurate and real time statistics on crime whether reported to the police or not.

The National Federation of Retail Newsagents is to be the first national sponsor and official partner of the not-for-profit company in a three year deal. Over 16,500 independent shops will participate in a ground breaking initiative to quantify an accurate picture of the prevalence of low level crime in communities and take positive action to reduce it in partnership with police forces across the UK.

The crime recording system will allow shop owners and managers to record an incident as soon as they are aware of it and without leaving their tills as well as record data on the level of shrinkage that occurs and currently goes unreported.

Sir Hugh Orde, President of the Association of Chief Police officers said: “I am pleased to support Facewatch for its practical use of technology in the fight to combat crime. The system is a catalyst for businesses and Police to join together; a great example of citizens and Communities getting involved alongside the Police.”