When People, Not Just Technology, Stop Crime In Its Tracks
There’s no denying that technology plays a role in crime prevention. From facial recognition to AI-powered analytics, the corporate conversation is dominated by the idea that the next big innovation will solve shoplifting and retail crime.
But last Wednesday in Brighton, we saw a very different story. One that proves you can’t replace people with tech.
At 9:50 am, a corporate store was hit by two offenders, one of whom assaulted a member of staff. Within 40 minutes, stolen goods were recovered and the offenders were under arrest. Not because of a facial recognition alert or an algorithm, but because of people.
The turning point was an unbroken chain of human action. The targeted store immediately reported the incident over the BCRP radio, giving clear descriptions and a direction of travel. Security at Churchill Square shared an image of the suspects on DISC. Minutes later, staff at Marks & Spencer, who had heard the radio call, spotted the suspects heading into Brighton Station. Our Field Officer, Nick, was able to pick up the trail, working with newly-joined Rail Enforcement Officers at the station to confirm which train the offenders boarded. The Rail Enforcement Officers secured the suspects on board until police arrived.
Technology played a role here. A GDPR-compliant image was shared instantly via our DISC Instant Messenger, and the BCRP radio network allowed everyone to stay in step. But neither tool would have mattered without people acting on the information in real time.
This wasn’t just about catching offenders. It was about stopping out-of-area suspects before they could leave the city and showing a staff member who had just been assaulted that an entire community stood behind them within minutes. That kind of visible, united action builds confidence, boosts morale, and reinforces the message that businesses are not alone.
The Bigger Picture
Increasingly, we look to digital solutions for everything, whether it’s crime prevention, marketing, or community engagement. But the truth is, the best results come from a blended approach:
Tools to share information quickly
Relationships that ensure action is taken instantly
People on the ground who know their community and will step in when it matters
At £9.50 a week, BCRP membership doesn’t just give businesses access to radios, intelligence, and alerts; it plugs them into a living, breathing network of people who will move mountains (and trains) to protect each other.
Because when people work together, we’re stronger than any technology on its own. And that’s something no algorithm can replicate.