This space is available now for Member's to share their news. Please remember your browser may need refreshing.

Intelligence
This is now circulated via encrypted email direct to RCO Members.
 

This Newsletter is now available for download. This edition also contains an article about ACIS (Active Crime Intelligence System).
 

MRCI Newsletter
 

Please read the following and be aware when arriving at work.

Recently, the Police have encountered two offences involving the Theft of Motor Vehicles whereby a person arrives at work to find the gates to the car park partially closed. The driver gets out to open the gate leaving the car unlocked and the engine running. The offender then gets in locks the doors and drives off.

Please take care when leaving your vehicles unattended. Keep all valuables out of sight if you cannot remove them. Always remember to close and lock your doors, keeping your keys with you at all times.
 

ACIS Daily Reports - Major New Member Service

Birmingham Retail Crime Operation is proud to announce that it is using its new ACIS Database to generate Daily Intelligence reports for the benefit of its members. These reports have a "Password" which is supplied only to previously agreed "Authorised Personnel" and is emailed each morning so that for the first time ever, our members have the opportunity of receiving the most up to date information on a daily basis.

The ACIS Database (Active Crime Intelligence System) analyses data and produces a Daily Intelligence report containing information and photographs of persons who have visited Birmingham during the previous month. It identifies which day they visited, the times they visited, what they did and what they stole. ACIS is predicting which offenders will visit on certain days and when they are likely to strike. This allows security to be proactive in preventing these previously Excluded Persons from entering their premises and committing crime.
 

Saturday 17 January 2004

Crime-busting bosses behind Birmingham’s blitz on retail theft today issued a warning to shoplifters: “We know when, where and how you will strike next.”

Senior officers have taken delivery of a new computer that can highlight who will try to steal from what store, on what day and at what time.

The software will even tell retail crime teams what the shoplifters like to steal and how the light-fingered crooks operate. It has enabled Birmingham’s pioneering Retail Crime Operation (RCO) to warn security staff who to look out for so they can be barred from entering.

The first-of-its-kind database, which echoes Hollywood blockbuster Minority Report where Tom Cruise’s Pre-Crime Unit could prevent murders before they happened, was developed by RCO staff working in a tiny office in Rackhams. No-nonsense ex-cop Chris James said ACIS - Active Crime Intelligence System - would “revolutionise” the way they tackled crime.

The former detective with more than 30 years experience fighting crime, who runs the RCO, said: “For the first time we are able to predict the patterns of behaviour of criminals so we can warn our member stores who to look out for.

“The system came as a result of us saying we wanted a database that could tell us what is going to happen tomorrow.

“Now we have it. With this system we know who they are, when they will strike, and what shops and what they go for. We are tightening the noose all the time.”

At a stroke of a key, the RCO can access details of more than 7,800 prolific offenders who have committed crime in the city over the last few years.

On today’s list of a dozen or so offenders known to be active on Saturdays is a woman who strikes between 5 and 6pm, always heading for cosmetics, concealing them in her coat pocket, and a man who favours stealing electrical goods between 2 and 3pm.

Mr James said: “People are creatures of habit.

“There are numerous reasons why people come into the city centre on a regular basis and some use that occasion to commit crime.

“But by focusing on them before they arrive, we are making it very difficult for them to commit crime - there are too many security eyes on them now.”

Two crooks released on bail were spotted in the city centre within an hour.

Reproduced from Birmingham Evening Mail
 

Monday 12 January 2004

Retailers in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter helped officers with Operation Operetta, a public safety initiative designed to reassure the community.

PC Michele Birch, from the crime-fighting team at Vyse Street, said: “The Jewellery Quarter attracts a large number of people - unfortunately, that also means thieves. The area has benefited from an increased police presence, including the new police community support officers, as well as retail radio links, static and mobile CCTV and covert patrols.”

The crime fighting team, in partnership with the Jewellery Quarter Regeneration Partnership and the British Jewellery and Giftware Federation, also hosted an open day where crime reduction advice was made available to residents, visitors and local businesses.

There were presentations on Neighbourhood Watch and Business Watch as well as crime prevention literature for retailers and residents to take away.

The team also celebrated the first anniversary of the retail radio scheme, launched in conjunction with the Retail Crime Operation (Birmingham), which has helped reduce retail crime by 64 per cent in the Jewellery Quarter.
 

Friday 9 January 2004

Being a Member you are entitled to display the RCO Window Sticker. This is now made available via download - the size is A4 but this can be scaled using your printer software to suit.
 

Thursday 8 January 2004

You are being invited to a FIRST!!!

We are holding a GENUINE SALE *** 20% OFF COST PRICE  ***

'SmartWater Instant' is a very easily applied solution that can be detected by Ultra Violet Light. Each solution has its own unique 'forensic fingerprint' and contains hundreds of laser etched particles also unique to that one pack.

Your home is full of new gifts, TV's, computers, mobile phones, electronic games etc. You are wearing expensive/sentimental jewellery (dab the solution over the hallmark) In the shed/garage there are new cycles or new tools. If it is of value to you it can be marked and become worthless to any thief. (Does not work on socks or jumpers - better luck next year) Your property does not have to be new to be marked.

For JUST £8.00 you can buy a pack containing:
1 x unique 3ml Smartwater Instant solution (capable of marking 30+ items)
1 x instructions for use booklet
2 x window warning labels
6 x small round tamper stickers
1 x registration form

SmartWater has 'Secured by Design' licensed status which is supported and managed by ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) Crime Prevention Initiatives Limited. Each Command Unit of the West Midlands Police service have two ultra violet search lamps.

People coming into custody are having their homes searched with these lamps, visits and searches are being carried out at second hand dealers etc.

Surely you can stretch to spending ONLY £8.00 to mark 30+ items in and around your home and your car. If you own a business you can mark the companies assets.

The packs are available from Steelhouse Lane Police Station between

0900hrs and 1700hrs Monday to Friday.

This SALE (genuinely) ends Wednesday 21st January 2004.
Cash and Cheques, made payable to ‘West Midlands Police’ only.