Transforming Crime Prevention with Durham Constabulary

Safer Group have developed a strong, successful partnership with Durham Constabulary, with our work in delivering crime prevention initiatives spreading across the region.

Our deployment in Darlington town centre in the run up to Christmas 2024 was a UK first, creating a 95% decrease in shoplifting and a total eradication of anti-social behaviour. The force also reported a cost saving of £19,900 from this single trial.

In the wake of this, Durham Constabulary approached us to mitigate against security challenges in 16 separate deployments. This campaign became known as Operation Short Circuit.

Our partnership with Durham Constabulary has prioritised tackling shoplifting, anti-social behaviour, theft, violence, and public order offences. Improving public safety within town centre locations and high-risk retail premises emerged as a strategic priority, while reducing demand on police resources was a further ambition for Durham Constabulary.

Owing to the diverse nature of the projects protected within the partnership and the highly regional approach taken across the 16 deployments, the challenges faced were varied.

Persistent shoplifting and anti-social behaviour were evident in specific hotspot locations, while the threat of theft, violence and public order offences within town centre environments continued to cause risk to both retail staff and members of the public.

Durham Constabulary required solutions that were adaptable to suit they types of crime most evident in various environments, whether these be a high-street, retail shop floor, or civic premises. Retailers protected include Boots, Home Bargains, Mountain Warehouse, and Waterstones.

As requirements from the partnership increased, Durham Constabulary prioritised a solution that was scalable and capable of rapid deployment to avoid disrupting busy retail environments.

We collaborated with Durham Constabulary to identity high-risk projects across County Durham and Darlington, deploying our trusted Safer POD® solutions to deter threats like shoplifting, violence, anti-social behaviour, and arson while utilising crime data and hotspot analysis to identify trends.

Safer POD® solutions first provide an effective visual deterrent. Deployed in clear sight, the devices signal that an area is subject to active monitoring.

This visibility and awareness can encourage potential offenders to reconsider behaviours before they occur.

Our Safer POD® S1/X1, Safer POD® S3 and Safer POD® S4/X4 solutions were strategically deployed across the region, with varying use cases.

For instance, a deployment of two Safer POD® S1 devices for a retailer in Darlington took place to deter shoplifting and anti-social behaviour in store, while preventing abuse and assaults against retail staff. A similar deployment on a trial basis took place in a Boots store located within a retail park.

Another deployment took place in Seaham, with the intention of combatting a spate of arson attacks and anti-social behaviour in a public area. The Safer POD® S4 device was deployed, equipped with active thermal detection and smoke, heat, and C0₂ sensors to mitigate fire threats.

Safer Group continue to move from strength to strength in our partnership with Durham Constabulary. Our Safer POD® solution deployments have reported significant success. Statistics collected show:

• A 75% reduction in theft at deployed locations

• A 93% reduction in violence and public order incidents

• More than £311,000 in estimated crime related cost savings, based on Home Office calculations.

Our solutions have proven to be a proactive, visual deterrent that signals active monitoring within high-risk locations, creating an environment in which potential offenders are made to reconsider their actions. This intervention both deters crime and supports the safety of staff and the public while reducing demands on police and retailers.