PARC - Plymouth Against Retail Crime
PARC is a partnership established in September 2001 to combat the increasing problem in Plymouth City Centre of retail crime and anti-social behaviour. Initial partners were the Police, Chamber of Commerce, retailers, Plymouth City Council, City Centre Management and the Storenet Radio link. Since 2001other organisations have joined PARC, including City Centre Company, Crimestoppers, Youth Offending Service, Devonport Regeneration Community Partnership, Devon and Somerset Fire Brigade and shopping centre managers.
PARC continues to grow annually and now has a current membership of over 600 businesses of all types including most major retailers and supermarkets, independent stores both large and small, shopping centres, car parks, theatre and venues.
PARC Members' Benefits
- Police coloured exclusion photographs distributed to members on a regular basis.
- Over 200 prolific shoplifters and/or persons committing anti-social behaviour have been banned.
- PARC manages 3 very large successful security radio schemes throughout Plymouth enabling members to share real time intelligence.
- 400 shop staff and managers have received PARC’s professional radio training over past 4 years.
- PARC’s members are linked to 24/7 CCTV coverage across Plymouth and the city centre.
- Dedicated Storenet CCTV operator.
- PARC has its own database that over past 8 years has proved extremely successful in supporting the police in obtaining ASBO’s against prolific shoplifters and persons causing anti-social behaviour.
- Numerous prolific shoplifters banned by PARC have received prison sentences taking them off the streets of Plymouth saving businesses tens of thousands of pounds.
- All PARC members belong to a free Police Community Messaging Service allowing PARC to inform its members quickly and efficiently with information affecting businesses or staff.
- Business CCTV database set up by PARC in co-operation with police throughout Plymouth. This information used in Exeter bombing incident in 2008.
- PARC organised police statement training courses for Loss Prevention Officers/store managers
- Arranging for police to undertake personal security training for shop staff as and when required.
- PARC now employs Loss Prevention Officers to help deter shop lifters. Please contact us if you feel you could benefit from the service.