Businesses across Torbay are being encouraged to sign up to a free, powerful tool in the fight against retail crime.

A free 12-month subscription to the UK Partners Against Crime (UKPAC) Business Crime Reduction Solution is being offered to traders which promises a quicker and easier way for them to report issues such as shoplifting, antisocial behaviour and violence to police.

The initiative forms part of the wider Street Focus: Torquay project — a multi-agency effort to tackle antisocial behaviour (ASB) and improve community safety in the town.

The UKPAC system is an online portal, also available as a smartphone app, that enables businesses to easily report crimes and share intelligence, empowering communities to work together against persistent and repeat offenders.

Police can then access this information to build stronger evidence files, increasing the chances of successful prosecutions and reducing crime on the high street.

The year-long pilot is being funded by Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez.

Commissioner Hernandez said: “Retail crime is not just a business issue — it impacts the whole community, from safety and investment to the vibrancy of our town centres.

“This pilot gives traders in Torbay the tools to take a stand and work together with police and partners to hold offenders to account and make our streets safer.

“If you’re a business that’s being affected by shoplifting or antisocial behaviour, or if you’re worried about the effect crime in general is having on the high street, please sign up. It takes just a couple of minutes to report and UKPAC will help the police to build a picture and bring persistent offenders to justice.”

Key benefits of joining the UKPAC network include:

• Quick and easy crime reporting through an online portal
• Greater intelligence sharing across businesses and authorities
• Targeting of prolific and repeat offenders
• Higher-quality evidence leading to more successful prosecutions
• Access to discounted crime prevention services through UKPAC partners

Councillor Alan Tyerman, Cabinet Member for Housing and Finance, said: “We know that many retailers are blighted by the menace of shoplifting and other crimes.

“This app not only helps businesses to report incidents, it also means greater intelligence sharing which should in turn should lead to more successful prosecutions.

“It will also help businesses play a crucial role in enhancing public safety and ensure safer neighbourhoods for everyone.”

Gareth Lewis, UKPAC chairman said: “We’re proud to be working alongside the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall on this forward-thinking initiative to tackle business crime in Torbay.

“This pilot project gives local businesses free access to UKPAC’s crime reporting and intelligence-sharing system, making it easier to submit incidents and build a clearer picture of the offenders causing the most harm across the area.

“The impact of business crime goes far beyond financial loss. It affects staff morale, customer confidence, and the overall sense of safety in our communities. By improving how incidents are reported and evidence is shared, we can support the police to take faster, more targeted action and reduce the disruption and harm caused to local businesses.

“We look forward to supporting businesses in Torbay and helping to create a safer, stronger community for all.”

The UKPAC initiative is part of the Street Focus: Torquay programme, which brings together ourselves, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Devon & Cornwall Police, SWISCo and other partners to address the deep-rooted issues affecting Castle Circus and the wider town centre.

Traders are encouraged to sign up and will be supported by our town centre officers, as well as Devon & Cornwall Police’s neighbourhood officers, to help them get the best of the reporting system.

Insp Rob Harvey, sector Inspector for Torquay, said: “We are looking forward to working with UKPAC to send a clear message that crime against businesses in Torbay will not be tolerated.

“We want to respond to the crimes and issues that are causing the most harm to our community, the information and intelligence we will get from UKPAC will be invaluable to direct our teams and achieve better outcomes more quickly.

"Our Street Focus work continues to be a priority for the Torquay Neighbourhood Team and working with the business alongside UKPAC will further strengthen our ambitions to provide a safe town centre for everyone.”

Read more about UKPAC and sign up

Read more about the Street Focus project