Low Cost Interventions
13. Join retail schemes
Joining DISC (or a similar intelligence-sharing scheme) allows businesses to share information about crime trends, suspicious activity, and prolific offenders with other local retailers and partners. These systems often use secure platforms or apps to provide real-time updates and alerts within a business community.
For business owners, this helps you stay informed and prepared by learning from incidents happening nearby. It can improve your ability to spot repeat offenders, reduce risk, and respond more effectively to emerging threats. Being part of a shared network also strengthens collaboration with other businesses and local partners, creating a more proactive and joined-up approach to tackling business crime.
Low - Cost varys dependent on the number of members however this is typically in the region of £5 per month by members or often funded by BIDs or local councils as part of retail crime initiatives.
Immediate/Short-term. There is training required and this often requires 1-2 days worth of time dedicated to learning the software by staff.
Low monthly fee.
Joining a retail intelligence-sharing scheme like DISC (Database and Intranet for Safer Communities) offers significant benefits for tackling retail crime, particularly from prolific and repeat offenders.
Why Joining DISC or Similar Schemes Is Effective Against Retail Crime
- Real-Time Intelligence Sharing
- DISC enables retailers to share information about known offenders, suspicious activity, and crime trends across a local or regional network.
- This helps businesses identify and respond to prolific offenders more quickly and consistently.
- Improves Offender Management
- Members can access mugshot galleries, ID-sought alerts, and exclusion lists, making it easier to spot and manage repeat offenders.
- The system supports GDPR-compliant data sharing, ensuring legal and ethical use of personal information.
- Strengthens Community Collaboration
- DISC connects retailers with Business Crime Reduction Partnerships (BCRPs), Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), and local police.
- This fosters a coordinated response to crime, increasing the likelihood of detection, intervention, and prosecution.
- Enhances Staff Awareness and Engagement
- Features like weekly newsletters, instant alerts, and incident reporting tools keep staff informed and engaged.
- Encourages a culture of vigilance, where staff are more likely to report and act on suspicious behaviour.
- Supports Evidence-Based Policing
- Incident reports submitted through DISC can be escalated directly to police, improving the quality and speed of investigations.
- Helps build a clear picture of offender patterns, supporting targeted enforcement and prevention strategies.
Limitations
| Limitations | Explanation |
| Requires active participation | The system is only as effective as the information shared by its members. |
| Training and onboarding needed | Staff must be trained to use the platform effectively and responsibly. |
| Data protection compliance | Must follow strict GDPR rules when handling offender data. |
Best Practice
- Encourage regular use of the platform by all relevant staff.
- Use DISC alongside CCTV, EAS, and staff training for a layered security approach.
- Share clear protocols for reporting incidents and responding to alerts.
- Participate in local meetings or briefings to stay updated on trends and offenders.