Force says it is 'envy' of others on retail crime

Northamptonshire PCSO Jon Panther at the Phoenix Parkway retail park in Corby

A police force said other forces were looking at how it has tackled retail crime and increased conviction rates.

Northamptonshire Police is setting out its latest plan in co-ordination with national Safer Business Action Week.

The strategy outlines the force's approach to tackling shoplifting, as well as how officers target prolific offenders.

Ch Insp James Willis from Northamptonshire Police said the force was "looked upon with envy" from others due to its success in retail crime.

Ch Insp James Willis said justice outcome rates have risen from 20% to 43%

Northamptonshire Police created a full-time retail crime unit in May, which has seen increases in detection and charges, Ch Insp Willis said.

He said since May, justice outcome rates have risen from 20% to 43%, with "good prison sentences" for the "most prolific offenders".

The force also has the 10th highest detection rate in the country, said Ch Insp Willis, Northamptonshire's lead in retail crime.

Neil Cowley from the Northamptonshire Business Crime Partnership is working with police to tackle retail crime

One retail manager in Corby who spoke to the BBC said retail crime happens in his store "every day".

He said that "on a bad day, someone comes in and takes a couple thousand pounds worth of stock".

Safer Business Action Week is co-ordinated by the National Business Crime Centre, and sees police and partners join forces to tackle business crime in their community.

One of those partners is the Northamptonshire Business Crime Partnership, which acts as the "link between the police and retailers".

It provides a reporting system to allow for quicker and better reporting.

Neil Cowley from the partnership said it was aiming to create a community among retailers.

"The better the reporting, the more realistic picture the police are getting," he said.