Devon and Cornwall Police Partner with Intelligence Platform to Tackle Shoplifting

Devon and Cornwall Police have partnered with intelligence platform Auror to combat organised retail crime, becoming the first force in the country to enable direct reporting through the system.

How the Auror Platform is Changing Policing

Auror, a software development company, provides intelligence to help officers identify prolific offenders and better protect businesses. The platform allows for quicker crime reporting, improving the Force’s ability to investigate shoplifting and related offences efficiently.

Superintendent Emma Butler Jones, Head of Prevention and Local Policing, highlighted the impact of this new system, stating:

“Direct reporting to the police through the Auror platform has revolutionised how we tackle business crime in Devon and Cornwall. Auror not only allows us to investigate more efficiently, but also provides unprecedented access to intelligence across a vast area, enabling us to detect more crimes and reduce harm to our victims.”

She further emphasised that the system fosters national collaboration, strengthening responses to organised retail crime and helping to prevent wider offences.

Faster Reporting, Better Outcomes

The police have seen a charge and offender outcome rate increase of between 6% and 7% for crimes reported through Auror compared to traditional methods. Reporting is also significantly faster, with crime reports reaching officers 8.5 times quicker, allowing investigations to progress more rapidly.

The intelligence gathered has already contributed to securing more positive outcomes for victims and has been used in court order applications, which often lead to stronger sentences.

A Call for Businesses to Report Every Crime

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, reinforced the importance of tackling theft and shoplifting to protect local businesses:

“All traders, especially small businesses, are key to thriving towns and city centres, so we must do our utmost to make Devon and Cornwall a safe place to do business. That’s why I have made theft a priority for policing in my new Police and Crime Plan, tackling theft and shoplifting on our high streets and focusing on repeat crimes, repeat offenders, and repeat victims.”

Encouraging businesses to use the new system, she added:

“We must all do our part to reduce crime and so I ask all businesses to make use of this new technology by reporting shoplifting every single time. This enables police resources to be put in the right places using evidence to support it.”

With business crime often under-reported, the police stress the importance of working together with the community to target the worst offenders.

How to Report Crime

Businesses and residents can report crime online or via the 101 non-emergency service. For those wishing to remain anonymous, reports can be made through the charity CrimeStoppers.