Police partnership with tech platform helps officers foil thieves targeting Netherfield store

An organised crime gang who were targeting a store in Netherfield have been foiled thanks to a new police partnership with a tech platform.

Nottinghamshire Police is trialling the use of a new crime intelligence software platform enabling them to take even faster action to tackle and deter shop thieves blighting retailers. 

They have been using the Auror platform over the last two months. It enables store staff to report crimes directly to the police within minutes in real time and making it quicker and easier for businesses to capture and share key evidence and information about incidents, such as CCTV footage, offender and vehicle descriptions, and witness statements. 

In one recent instance intelligence was provided by Boots staff, via the Auror platform, following a report of a travelling organised crime gang targeting items from a store at Victoria Retail Park in Netherfield.

Police were swiftly able to carry out inquiries into the theft, which happened on May 17, leading to the arrests of three suspects on suspicion of theft. 

Officers arrested the suspects, all from the Luton area, after finding them in a car in the Newark area. Three large bin bags full of cosmetics were also recovered from the vehicle. 

The investigation is ongoing. 

Business crime officer PC Joanna Baxter, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “The roll-out of crime intelligence platforms like Auror are helping us tackle retail crime by improving the speed and efficiency of reporting and giving us an even richer intelligence picture to help us identify and pursue offenders, such as organised crime groups targeting multiple locations. 

“Our effective use of this technology is helping us to build a comprehensive picture of offending and is sending a clear message to retail crime offenders. There is nowhere for them to hide and we will do everything we can to bring them to justice.”

Nicky Harrop, head of security, fraud and contract management at Boots, said: “Tackling the growing levels of retail crime is a collaborative effort, so we’re pleased to work alongside Nottinghamshire Police, and use effective platforms like Auror to help make our stores safer for our customers and colleagues.”