Season 4, Episode 3.

Tool Theft: From Van Raids to Car Boot Sales – Inside the Criminal Economy Targeting Tradespeople.

Tool theft is more than an opportunistic crime. Emmeline is joined by Dave Catlow from the National Business Crime Centre and tradesman, Shoaib Awan, to explore the organised criminal networks behind stolen tools, the impact on tradespeople, and what police and industry can do to disrupt the market. Plus, Chris Noice joins Sinead in the Retail Crime Newscast to discuss the combined Week of Action Against Retail Crime.

Season 4, Episode 2.

Retail Crime Risk Modelling: How Retailers are Using Data to Predict Crime and Make Better Decisions.

Retailers are sitting on more data than ever before – but how can they turn that data into intelligence that actually prevents crime? In this episode, we explore the growing role of risk modelling in retail crime control and Emmeline outlines the findings from her latest report on the topic. She is joined by CAP Index to talk through the approach.

Season 4, Episode 1.

Behind the Screens! Security Operations Centres & the Facial Recognition Debate.

In Spotlight, we go behind the screens at Boots’ Security Operations Centre. In conversation with their award-winning CARE Operations Manager, Phil Bance, Emmeline explores the technology, operational realities and, most importantly, what having a SOC means for colleagues on the shop floor.

In Newscast, Sinead and Emmeline turn their attention to live facial recognition, unpacking the debate around its use in retail – and focusing on one of the most important questions of all: who creates, owns and controls the watchlist?

Season 3, Episode 4.

In this episode we dig into the hidden world of stolen goods markets and explore how the ‘We Don’t Buy Crime’ initiative is shutting down the disposal routes offenders rely on.

Emmeline is joined by ACC Tom Harding from the College of Policing who’s been driving innovative approaches – and DeterTech’s Gary Higgins to unpack the range of tactics, including SmartWater, that are quite literally shining a light on where stolen items end up. The message is unmistakable: deterrence matters.

Dialling in from the US, Jason Davies (Sekura Global) gives the latest on the INFORM Act, as Temu faces a multimillion-dollar fine for failing to comply. Could this be a watershed moment?

Finally, Sinead and Emmeline take on some of the more bizarre excuses thieves give to justify their actions – and ask whether shoppers are truly ready for more automation in their weekly shop.

Season 3, Episode 3.

In this episode we travel Down Under to explore the developments shaping retail security in Australia and New Zealand.

Reporting on a series of industry events in the two countries, Emmeline picks out some key highlights and not to miss moments. First up, Carolynne Ball, who has been at the forefront of pioneering trials of Live Facial Recognition in retail, joins Emmeline to discuss the practicalities of deployment, the impact on stores, and the regulatory scrutiny from the Privacy Commissioner.

Scott Harris discusses the rise in critical incidents and the troubling escalation in the use of weapons against retail staff – a sobering reminder of the risks faced on the shopfloor.

Next, Emmeline sits down with David Haylings, who makes a compelling case for why brand owners must be included in loss prevention strategies. His experience shows that collaboration can deliver big wins for on-shelf availability.

Our trusty news correspondent Sinead Garvan offers her sharp-eyed take on developments across the sector, this time turning the spotlight on Iceland’s new initiative that’s causing a stir in the UK retail landscape.

Season 3, Episode 1.

Season 3 kicks off with a bang in our first episode, ‘Return to Offender’.

We’re focusing in on how the Metropolitan Police are zeroing in on high-harm retail offenders and it seems to be working; real results, smart tactics, and big wins – but is it sustainable? Insights meet action as Emmeline is joined in the Spotlight by Superintendent Luke Baldock from the Met Police and retail legend Paul Gerrard from the Co-op.

In Newscast, return fraud gets interesting! Emmeline is in conversation with none other than Sinaed Garvan (from Virgin, Talk Sport and BBC Radio fame!), our brand new news correspondent, to unpack the growing problem of ‘wardrobing’ – if you don’t know what that is it’s a must listen and for those of you that do, the title of this episode just got even smarter!

Tune in – it’s bold, it’s smart, and it’s just the beginning.

Season 2, Special Episode 3.

In this jam-packed round up of the latest developments in retail crime

Emmeline outlines the key recommendations from the UK House of Lords Inquiry into shoplifting with special guest, Chris Noice from the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS).

In Newscast, we learn about the growing trend for targeting luxury food items such as artisan cheese and champagne and exporting it into international markets, as well as the million dollar gift card scams hitting the USA and attracting the attention of Homeland Security.

The Country Focus takes in South Africa and RCU guest Andre Jordaan describes the ‘war on the highway’.

Season 2, Special Episode 2.

In the Spotlight for this episode, Emmeline looks at how proposed tighter legislation on the sale of tobacco and vape products could potentially increase the activities of organised crime groups.

Having recently published the report ‘Lighting Up: How Tobacco Track and Trace Could Illuminate Stolen Goods Markets and Other Serious Crimes’, Emmeline outlines the issues being experienced by retail, freight and wholesaler industries as criminals look to profit on the lucrative black market for illegal tobacco.

She speaks to Dr James Martin in Australia to learn from the experiences Down Under and talks through the consumer response in the UK Newscast with the Sunday Times Consumer Affairs Editor, Louise Eccles.

Dr Grant Drawve explains how some USA retailers are clawing back control over self-service checkout in the USA Newscast, and she is joined by Gijs Wauters-Verbeke in Belgium for the Country Focus to talk police tactics!

Season 2, Special Episode 1.

BRAND NEW SPECIAL!

Our new look episodes now have three segments to make sure we bring you the latest, hottest and most relevant and interesting news and debates:
Spotlight: going in-depth on important debates (this week we look at facial recognition in the retail sector).

Newscast: bringing the latest news from the USA and UK from news correspondents Louise Eccles (The Sunday Times Consumer Affairs Editor) and Grant Drawve (VP Research at CAP Index).

Country Focus: ever wondered what’s happening to the sector in France? Always thought you could learn a new strategy from Germany or want to know more about that legislation in Australia..? Each episode shines the spotlight on a different country. We know crime trends travel so this can help get ahead of the curve. In this episode, we look to Mexico!

Season 1, Episode 20.

The Best of Season 1.

It’s incredible to think that we are 20 episodes into the Retail Crime Uncovered podcast, and wow, what a journey! In this special season finale, Emmeline revisits the best of the interviews and maps out the key learnings from industry experts, police and, of course, offenders themselves. From ORC to tagging, self-service to guarding, this episode is jam packed with the latest thought leadership and innovative practice. If there is one place to go for a roundup of LP / AP news and developments over the last 12 months, you’ve got it right here!

Season 1, Episode 19.

JOHN YATES QPM, Director of Security, Scentre Group

In this episode of Retail Crime Uncovered, Emmeline catches up with John Yates QPM, Director of Security for Scentre Group (owner of Westfield), Australia and New Zealand. In a former career spanning 30 years John held one of the top spots in the Metropolitan Police, the largest police force in Europe. He is the recipient of many awards, including the Queen’s Police Medal for his role in coordinating the UK police response to the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake. Most recently he has been involved in the response to another devastating incident. On 13th April a man armed with a knife entered Westfield Bondi Junction in Sydney, Australia and fatally stabbed six people and injured several others. Emmeline and John talk about how a community and business have joined together to reflect and rebuild following such a tragic incident and what it means more broadly for security in Australia and New Zealand.

Season 1, Episode 18.

With special guest, Inspector Ollie Vale

In this episode of Retail Crime Uncovered, Emmeline catches up with Nottinghamshire police inspector, Ollie Vale, about Operation Motivation. The policing operation focuses on education, intelligence gathering and taking enforcement against licensed premises that are found to be buying stolen goods. Ollie talks about how the operation came about and offers advice for other forces looking to implement similar strategies and initiatives (you might also get a few tips on how police officers keep their toddlers in check!).