Bookmakers becomes first High Street business to adopt online crime information system

Bookmakers becomes first High Street business to adopt online crime information system

Ladbrokes has revealed it will be piloting Facewatch, the online crime reporting and image sharing system, in all its betting shops across London.

Facewatch, which is used by the police, business crime reduction partnerships, Business Improvement Districts, shopping centres and retailers across the capital, is designed to help reduce crime by sharing information about persistent criminals and improve detection and conviction rates, while acting as a strong deterrent to would-be thieves and shoplifters. Facewatch is also designed to save the police and shop staff considerable time by offering a rapid and customer-focused response to any incident.

Details of a crime are entered into the Facewatch system via any internet-connected device and a crime investigation number is immediately provided to the victim. The business owner is then able to upload moving and still images from their CCTV cameras' which may be used in court as evidence. Further services such as payment card cancellation is provided free of charge to a victim, who also receives regular updates by email on the progress of the police investigation.

Enhancing brand trust 

Ladbrokes, one of the UK's largest bookmakers, see the use of Facewatch as immediately contributing to creating an even more secure and safe experience for their customers and staff.

Richard Royal, Ladbrokes public affairs manager, stated: “The safety and security of our customers and staff is paramount and we’re delighted to add another crime-fighting tool to our excellent procedures, which already includes a 24-hour manned security room and the best CCTV in the business. Ladbrokes is glad to be at the forefront of cutting edge innovative technological solutions to problems, which affect the whole community.”

Philip Davies MP, who is chair of the All Party Parliamentary Betting and Gaming group, commented: “I am happy to support this highly innovative crime reduction initiative which uses the Internet to assist bookmakers across the UK to provide an even safer and more secure environment for their customers and staff.”