Free crime-reporting system rolled out in Newton Abbot to tackle shoplifting surge

A major new crime-reporting scheme has been launched in Newton Abbot, giving local businesses a faster way to report incidents and share information about offenders. 

The initiative, run by UK Partners Against Crime (UKPAC), is being offered free for a year to any business in the town after funding was secured by Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez.

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The scheme was introduced at a meeting last Thursday (13 November), hosted by Newton Abbot Town Council and attended by retailers, police and local business leaders.

David Austin, owner of the town’s century-old department store and president of the Chamber of Commerce, described the new system as “exactly what businesses need.”

He added that the free trial gives shops “an easily accessible security system that’s going to give us a lot more robustness in the town.”

How the new system works

UKPAC offers a “one-touch” app-based reporting portal. 

Businesses can send details of shoplifting, assaults, anti-social behaviour, repeat offenders or suspicious activity directly to police or to a central crime hub.

The system allows two types of reporting:

1. Direct-to-Police evidence packs (SCONE)

Businesses upload CCTV clips, still images, witness statements and impact statements through a guided template. This creates a police-ready evidence pack without needing officers to visit the store, saving time for both sides. Police can start investigations immediately.

2. Reports to UKPAC for intelligence sharing

If businesses do not have time to prepare full evidence, they can still log incidents with basic details. UKPAC analysts review the report, pass intelligence to police, and identify links with known offenders.

Police, councils and support services can also access the information for safeguarding and civil-order issues such as homelessness or drug dependency.

The not-for-profit system also sends automatic updates on ongoing cases and can share alerts about “known criminals” or emerging issues, always within GDPR-protected limits.

Newton Abbot Town Council’s Projects & Strategy Officer Pierre Doutreligne said the platform is already used successfully in Torquay.

He said: “The scheme has already yielded tangible results in terms of town safety, and the Commissioner’s offer to cover a year’s subscription with no strings attached makes joining UKPAC a real no-brainer.”

ABOVE: UKPAC runs similar schemes across the country which have seen success (Credit: UKPAC)

Local businesses urged to sign up for free

Retailers who attended the launch, including David Austin, head of security teams, and representatives from Newton Abbot Town Council and Devon County Council, are now acting as “ambassadors” for the scheme. 

The council is preparing a wider publicity push to encourage uptake.

“There are no formal expectations,” Mr Doutreligne said, “but early reactions were positive, and those in attendance at the meeting seemed keen. We’re hoping for tangible results and letting the results speak for themselves.”

Crime figures in Newton Abbot this year

Police figures shared with The Moorlander show that Newton Abbot recorded 133 shoplifting incidents, 244 reports of antisocial behaviour, and 94 public order offences between April and September 2025 across the Newton Abbot East and Newton Abbot Town beats.

Shoplifting ranged from a low of 2 incidents in Newton Abbot East (June and September) to a high of 26 incidents in Newton Abbot Town (June).

Antisocial behaviour remained consistently high throughout the six-month period, with monthly totals across the two beats never falling below 35 reports, and peaking at 45 in June.

Public order offences showed smaller fluctuations, with combined monthly totals ranging between 9 and 24 incidents.

Why is it being implemented now?

Newton Abbot retailers have raised concerns about rising shoplifting, abuse of staff, and an increasing number of repeat offenders. 

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner, said she funded the first-year subscription because she was impressed by UKPAC’s potential.

“We really wanted people to see if it can make a difference; to relieve the pressure on businesses and particularly staff who are getting assaulted and dealing with verbal attacks.”

The first year of access is fully paid for, although it is up to each individual trader if they seek reimbursement, with “no questions asked.” 

After the free year, funding options remain open for discussion, including potential council or community support for smaller independent shops.

What next for UKPAC?

Demand for the system has already been noted in nearby Teignmouth, where retailers have reported facing similar challenges to those in Newton Abbot and Torquay

Newton Abbot Town Council is also exploring a possible wider conference or demonstration event for the area.

Businesses in Newton Abbot can join immediately, with those who attended the launch playing a key role in encouraging others to sign up.