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The National Business Crime Centre's 'ShopKind' campaign unites the retail sector to tackle violence and abuse against shopworkers - by asking people to 'ShopKind' when they are in stores.

The campaign aims to encourage positive behaviours in shops, acknowledge the important role of shopworkers and highlight the scale and impact of violence and abuse against them.

Research carried out by the charity Retail Trust revealed that over three quarters (77%) of shop staff have experienced intimidating behaviour in the last year and a quarter (23%) were physically assaulted.

Shop workers have spoken to me about the mental health impact caused by abusive customers, in a sector also affected by rising levels of shoplifting and retail crime.

I'm pleased that Sussex Police and partners are tackling retail crime head-on - using innovative technology, with reporting apps like DISC, and piloting the UK’s first scheme to fit electronic tags on shoplifters which I hope will deter thieves and make our shops safer for everyone.

Thanks to the increase in police officer numbers and my focus on improving performance, officers are now solving more crime than in any year since 2016 - and that’s despite a 20% growth in recorded crime over that period. 

Please join me in backing the ‘ShopKind’ campaign this Christmas and New Year so we can bring a bit of humanity back to our high streets.

Policing of protests and live facial recognition technology top agenda at police scrutiny meeting

This week I questioned the Chief Constable on a range of pressing issues at my monthly Performance & Accountability Meeting.

With demonstrations continuing in Brighton & Hove over Palestine, in Crowborough around a proposed migrant camp and in other locations across the county, I want to know how prepared Sussex Police is to manage these additional resourcing demands, including balancing the rights of protesters and counter-protesters, engaging with groups to keep events peaceful and lawful, and ensuring officers receive the right training to judge whether language or actions at protests remain within the law.

Chief Constable Shiner outlined the "well established practices in place to ensure police resources are assigned effectively for public order operations, from the strategic command team, to intelligence teams and police on the streets". She also highlighted the ability to call upon mutual aid from other police forces if further resources are required.

Following the introduction of Live Facial Recognition (LFR) vans in Sussex last month, I sought assurances on how this technology is being deployed, monitored and scrutinised to ensure fairness, legality and proportionality. I also wanted to establish what measures are in place to address public concerns around potential bias.

Deputy Chief Constable McLaren outlined the new capability and emphasised that this technology is "intelligence-led, it is not an evidence gathering tool". He also shared some of the successes following recent deployments of the LFR vans across Sussex, including the arrest of a wanted man in relation to organised crime and drugs offences.

You can catch up on all the discussions at the meeting on my webcasting platform.

As we come to the end of another busy year, the festive season is a time when most people are able to relax and celebrate with family and friends.

However, for many Sussex Police officers and staff, it means continuing to serve on the frontline, responding to emergencies, supporting victims and preventing harm.

Their dedicated service means that we remain safe, protected and supported, all year round, especially during this holiday season.

I’d like to thank every officer, staff member and our incredible volunteers who support Sussex Police and those in our local communities.

Stay safe this Christmas and my very best wishes to you all for the New Year.

Katy Bourne OBE
Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner