The system, which is being tested by 31 venues including Punch Taverns and Pret A Manger, allows operators to directly upload video footage and still images from their CCTV. This is then passed directly to the police, and a crime reference is generated.
According to Simon Burgess, managing director of Facewatch, the system helps to “make a bad situation a little better” by streamlining the reporting system and providing businesses with the processes and facilities to help their customers report crimes on their premises.
The system, which also links up with the Card Protection Plan, also allows customers to directly cancel and replace all bank cards. In addition, because the system is linked up with the Metropolitan Police and the British Transport Police, it means that customers do not have to file a separate police report.
“It means happier customers because you are helping them deal with the situation, but ultimately you are also cutting theft on the premises,” said Burgess.
Potential thieves would be deterred by the window stickers and by awareness that the area is protected, he explained. “It’s almost like a neighbourhood watch for businesses.”
Hospitality watch
Facewatch was set up by Simon Gordon, the owner of Gordon's Wine Bar on London's Embankment, out of frustration at the repeated thefts taking place on his premises. Gordon, who is now also chairman of Facewatch, teamed up with senior members of the police and the retail and hotel trades in order to develop the system.
Facewatch, which can be used by any premises where low-level crimes are committed – including shops, bars, cafes, hotels, restaurants and bus stations – gives members access to a secure website.
When crimes are committed, they can directly upload CCTV images onto the system, which instantly generates a crime references and sends the information to the police. Members can also share information with other members of the network, alerting each other to potential trouble.
No additional investment in CCTV or other systems is required, explained Burgess. The cost of signing up as a member to the system starts at £15 per month per premise.
“We wanted to come in at a low level because the strength of the system is the network created. So it would be useless if it was too expensive for most businesses to use,” he said.
Trial
The new system is being trialled across venues in the Victoria Business Improvement District (BID) as part of a range of anti-crime measures in the area.
Sgt. Simon Reason, an officer from the Metropolitan Police who is on the Victoria BID staff team, said: “This cost-effective system will complement other crime reduction measures we are currently introducing. We are incredibly excited to be the first BID to benefit from this system, which will add to our key objective in being designated a ‘Purple Flag’ destination in the Spring/Summer of next year.”
The formal launch of the scheme will take place on Thursday 18 November in Central Hall Westminster.