Back in December, I wrote about the
growing challenge of retail crime and the uphill battle faced by both police forces and businesses. Too many offences were going unreported, investigations were moving too slowly, and frustrations on both sides were straining the vital relationship between retailers and law enforcement.
Yet even then, there were glimmers of hope.
The
UK’s Crime and Policing Bill, alongside calls from the
National Business Crime Centre for wider use of CCTV stills and digital evidence management systems (DEMS), suggested that a smarter, more joined-up approach was finally taking shape. I ended the year cautiously optimistic that 2025 had marked a turning point.
But, just days before the year drew to a close, that optimism was given a very real boost.
Dorset Police published a powerful example of what can be achieved when businesses and police forces work closely together—supported by the right technology. The result was swift, decisive justice.
The case? A prolific shoplifter, responsible for stealing goods worth more than £6,500 across 14 separate offences, was jailed for 32 weeks following a fast-tracked investigation enabled by
NiCE Evidencentral.
It was a textbook example of technology and partnership at work.
Technology and Partnership in Action
Sergeant Ryan Corbett of Dorset Police summed it up perfectly: “This case demonstrates how technology and partnership are transforming retail crime investigation. The NiCE evidence platform and digital theft packs drastically cut processing times, getting vital information from retailers to officers in hours rather than days.”
Those few words capture the heart of the issue. For years, investigations have been hampered by delays in gathering and processing evidence. When critical information can move in hours rather than days, the entire justice process accelerates.
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick reinforced this point: “Since I came into office, I have been committed to improving crime reporting for Dorset businesses; that is why I established the
Dorset Safer Business Partnership (DSBP). This case highlights how improvements made with the support of the DSBP, such as the implementation of the force’s new evidence platform, NiCE, are having a real impact on how retail crime is tackled in Dorset. Our communities deserve to feel safe, and I will continue to support Dorset Police and partners in taking decisive action against those who persistently break the law.”
While the news is certainly encouraging, it isn’t just a success story for Dorset. It’s a blueprint for how retail crime can be tackled more effectively across the UK.
Boots: A National Retailer Leading the Way
What makes this case even more significant is the involvement of Boots—one of the first UK retailers to adopt NiCE Evidencentral.
Back in 2021,
Boots announced plans to register its store cameras in NiCE’s Evidencentral to make sharing CCTV footage with participating police forces faster and easier. It was a bold and forward-thinking move that recognised a simple truth: faster evidence sharing means better outcomes.
At the time, Iona Blake, Boots Security and Incident Manager, explained: “We have a large number of stores with both internal and external CCTV cameras for investigating all types of crimes and incidents. For us, it’s all about how we can get better at reporting crimes. In addition to improving efficiency and saving time, this programme has really changed the dynamic of our relationship with the police.”
Those words have proved to be strikingly true.
By embracing digital evidence platforms early, Boots has not only improved its own processes but has helped demonstrate what is possible when retailers and police forces collaborate in technology-enabled, visionary ways.
Looking Ahead
The example of Dorset and Boots is far more than an isolated breakthrough. It shows what happens when technology, commitment and cooperation come together with a shared purpose.
Retail crime is not going away overnight. Underreporting, slow evidence processes and stretched resources have long made it a complex problem to solve.
But the landscape is beginning to change. Initiatives such as the UK Crime and Policing Bill, combined with a growing adoption of digital evidence management systems, are giving police forces and retailers the tools they need to respond more quickly and effectively.
The case above is proof that progress is possible. When evidence can be gathered, packaged and shared within hours rather than days, investigations move faster, offenders are held to account sooner, and collaboration between businesses and police is strengthened.
Early adopters have demonstrated how powerful this approach can be. As more retailers and police forces follow their lead, the benefits will undoubtably multiply—creating safer stores, streets and communities.
The future of retail crime prevention is digital, collaborative, and already delivering results.
