UPDATE FROM THE RETAIL CRIME TASKFORCE (RCTF) – REPORTING THEFT VIA “CONTACT US”

We want to share an important update from the Retail Crime Taskforce (RCTF) regarding how retailers report Theft by Shoplifting to Police Scotland, particularly when 999 is not appropriate and delays/issues have been experienced with 101.

Retailers can also use the “Contact Us” online form to report shoplifting: Contact Us form | Police Scotland

Police Scotland require minimum information for a crime report to be recorded to comply with Scottish Crime Recording Standards. 

This minimum information is;

• Time, date and location of incident

• What was stolen and its value

• The name of the member of staff involved, their availability and a direct contact telephone number

• Advise if the incident has been captured on CCTV

• Provide a suspect description (if known)

• What has happened

Should Police Scotland receive a form which does not contain the above information an email reply will be sent back to the submitter of the Contact Us form requesting this.  No further police action will be undertaken until this information is received.

C3 and the Retail Crime Taskforce are currently working with both local and national retailers to develop a fit for purpose online reporting mechanism and will be reaching out again with updates and developments on this.  The above changes are a necessary stepping stone to a better, all round service.