A beautifully simple Crime prevention intelligence initiative Simon Gardner: BSIA SaferGems

Implemented in July 2009 following an increase in crime against the jewellery industry Funded by the Jewellery industry through National Association of Goldsmiths and TH March and the BJA Hosted by the BSIA The Background

Record details of crimes against the Jewellery Industry Record details of suspicious activity Link between the Industry and Police Circulate images Circulate new crime trends Circulate details of stolen property Circulate details of seized property Assist Police in linking offences and offenders. The Initiative

9000 jewellers signed up to Safergems Since 2009 to date over 3000 Crimes and suspicious incidents recorded Over 1000 alerts to the Industry 350 alerts and analytical reports to Police Assisted Police with over 70 arrests and convictions 400 reports from members of crime prevented

This year alone: In excess of £1 million stolen by theft Approximately £5 million by robbery/smash and grab raid Almost £2 million by Burglary £1 million by Fraud and Deception All of these crimes have an impact on staff and customers.

Alerts

Current Trends Stolen Watches Scooter Smash and Grab Raids Fraud

HOW TO IDENTIFY SUSPICIOUS CUSTOMERS 1. Is the customer talking on a phone? Inform the person that you will be happy to serve them as soon as they finish their call. 2. Is the customer wearing sunglasses? Suggest that the customer remove the sunglasses to get a better view of the merchandise. 3. Is the person wearing clothing intended to conceal his or her identity? 4. Are large numbers of people entering together? 5. Will you be able to adequately protect your merchandise with a large number of people inside your store? 6. Is the person placing items in the store in order to block your view? 7. Is the person looking with unusual interest at your cameras or security equipment? 8. Is the person asking to see the “most expensive” watch or jewellery item in the store? 9. Is the person making hand signals or other gestures that appear to be communicating with other people?

WHAT TO DO WHEN SUSPICIOUS SIGNS APPEAR? Look at and greet the person who enters your store. Use a pre-established code word to put all staff members on high alert. Have an employee pick up the store phone in an obvious manner, dial someone and talk. Have more than one person wait on the suspicious person or persons. Keep the display cases locked and show only one item at a time. Call the police if you feel there is a criminal risk.

Good News Stories PERSISTENT FRAUDSTER ARRESTED ROBERT MADEJSKI

Testimonials DS Rob Bryant of Surrey Police stated: “It has come to my notice that if it had not been for the involvement and advice from Safer Gems to the jeweller in Guildford, then this suspicious incident would not have come to the notice of the Police and I am convinced that offences would have been committed. Due to the involvement of Safer Gems, Robert MADEJSKI was arrested in the process of purchasing a house in Surrey probably via fraudulent means and he was in possession of a stolen Bentley”. DC Andy Lawrence of Sussex Police also stated: “I visited a jewellers on Friday 17 th January 2013 for a Fraud I was investigating and saw you’re Alert in regards to Madejski and the Bentley visiting a jewellers in Guildford. Well I have been chasing these two for another series of frauds linked to another Bentley, and would like to notify you your information helped me a great deal as they are currently held in custody”.

Good News Stories HIGH VALUE JEWELLERY THIEF JAILED DAVID SYDNEY STEPHENSON

BeverleyBeestonLincoln ChichesterBicesterBlackpool

INTERNATIONAL JEWELLERY THIEF Good News Stories STUGGART 1990 MIAMI 2010 Dusseldorf 2013

Future developments Increase membership Developing even closer links with law enforcement to further enhance police responses to jewellery crime Development of a Watch Register

Background Database Registration Lost/Stolen Reports Search Facilities

Questions?