Police Crack Down on Retail Crime Across Devon and Cornwall

Published On: 11 November 2025Last Updated: 11 November 2025By CornishStuff

Devon & Cornwall Police are taking part in a national week of action to tackle retail and business crime, aiming to strengthen relationships with shop workers, businesses and security staff across the region.

Safer Business Action Week

Safer Business Action Week, which began on Monday 10th November, is co-ordinated by the National Business Crime Centre (NBCC). The focus is to bring police and businesses together to combat offences such as theft, anti-social behaviour and other crimes affecting local shops and communities.

Throughout the week, police will carry out high-visibility patrols in key areas, engage with staff and the public, offer crime prevention advice, and conduct proactive arrest enquiries and targeted operations.

Assistant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew said:

“We know how much business crime can affect those work within businesses in our communities. By taking a collaborative and proactive approach, we can deploy resources to specific locations on patrol and directly target offenders. Tackling this issue remains a priority for the Force.”

Launch of the Devon, Cornwall & IOS Business Crime Reduction Partnership

This week also marks the launch of the Devon, Cornwall & IOS Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP), designed to help businesses share information, collectively exclude prolific offenders and take action against business crime.

The partnership aims to reduce fear of crime, improve communication between businesses, and provide members with training, guidance and support.

Strategic Business Crime Lead T/Chief Superintendent Antony Hart said:

“We will use this week of action to further strengthen our relationships with local businesses and take action against those causing harm in our town and city centres.

“Our officers will raise awareness of business crime, encourage reporting, gather intelligence, share prevention advice to help protect businesses from being a target of crime, and highlight the support available to businesses who have been impacted by crime.

“The proactive engagement planned this week isn’t a one-off; the work to protect businesses continues throughout the year. The national week of action is an opportunity for us to continue to raise awareness of the work police do, along with our local partners, to keep communities safe.”

Funding Support and Free Membership

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said her office is helping to fund a business crime reduction partnership called UK Partners Against Crime (UKPAC), which links directly to the police.

“Following a successful pilot in Torquay with fantastic results, we are now funding it for 12 months in other areas including Saltash, Liskeard, Barnstaple and Teignmouth and will continue with its rollout across the peninsula over the next two years.

“The launch of Devon, Cornwall & IOS BCRP will see that work continue and grow by combining collective local efforts to combat retail crime into one joined-up network. This will ensure intelligence and activities are widely shared in a timely manner. The benefits will include being able to identify and track prolific offenders who offend across multiple areas.

“My office is offering businesses a free 12-month subscription to the new BCRP when they become a member of UKPAC. This allows businesses to experience the benefits of joined-up intelligence and partnership working with no cost and no obligation to continue after the trial period.”