Figures show rollout of new security measures at Central England Co-op stores has resulted in a major drop in crime

Posted by rob smyth | Published: 17/07/2019

A major crackdown aimed at reducing crime at Central England Co-op stores has seen burglaries drop by six per cent and robberies drop by 30% - bucking a national trend that has seen incidents jump by 137% and 508% respectively.

The new figures have been released as the retailer marks one year since it rolled out a string of new measures to try and stop incidents and protect colleagues, members and customers.

2018 saw stores fitted with external motion detectors and a centrally monitored CCTV system fitted which allows colleagues to call for assistance at the touch of a button.

These new measures sit alongside a range of others such as product GPS trackers, additional ATM anchors, gas suppression systems and stringent cash controls, all of which are designed to keep customers and colleagues safe as well as actively promoting the fact that targeting convenience supermarkets is not ‘worth the risk’.

Craig Goldie, Loss Prevention Advisor at Central England Co-op, said: “We are so proud to have recorded big drops in the levels of burglaries and robberies at our stores following the successful rollout of a range of new measures last year to combat the problem.

“We were and still are aware that incidents such as robberies and ATM thefts are frightening for store colleagues, who are our first priority, and this is why we were determined to act.

“Robberies dropped by 30% compared to a 508% national increase and burglaries also fell by six per cent compared to a 137% national rise.

 “All of these measures have, as the figures show, already started to deter criminals and, most importantly, ensure our colleagues and customers feel safe.
“But we will continue to constantly assess these problems to ensure that incidents continue to fall and that our stores are safe places to work and shop.
“Also, in 2019, we will be working closely with other retailers, police forces across the 16 counties in which we trade and the Government to tackle issues of violence and aggression towards colleagues.

“We are doing everything we can to prevent incidents like this from happening, but if something does happen we offer them support and counselling both from within our business and specialists.”

Central England Co-op stores now all have full CCTV coverage, increased security guard provision and a central monitoring system that allows colleagues to press a button to alert a special control room who will then be able to watch what is happening on CCTV and call for immediate assistance from the emergency services if required.

They also have external motion sensors installed outside of Food Stores which can be activated outside of trading hours. When activated they will switch on CCTV cameras to record any out of hours activity and contact Police if needed.

Notes to editors

About Central England Co-operative

Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK. 

It is a modern, forward-looking organisation employing over 8,000 staff, with the Society’s principal areas of activity being food, funeral services, travel shops, and property investment.

Central England Co-operative has over 400 trading outlets across 16 counties including; West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.  The Society has an ambitious food store development programme for 2019.

Central England Co-operative is proud of its reputation for ethical business practices and corporate responsibility.  It is a member of Business in the Community, the membership organisation that stands for responsible business, and has also won many business awards for excellence.  The Society supports a number of charities including Dementia UK and invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities.

Becoming a member of Central England Co-operative offers a whole host of benefits ranging from collecting points every time you spend in store to earn a share of the profits, access to member activities and community initiatives including the Community Dividend Fund, which hands out grants of up to £5,000 to charities and good causes across the Society’s trading estate.

Find out how to become a Central England Co-operative member by calling 0800 0501 601, emailing members@centralengland.coop or visiting https://www.members.coop

For more information visit www.centralengland.coop, follow Central England Co-operative on Twitter: @mycoopfood, and on Facebook: facebook.com/centralenglandcooperative

Rob Smyth and James Brindle at Central England Co-operative on 01543 421390

Email –publicrelations@centralengland.coop