Proactively Tackling Retail Crime in Brighton

Operation Apprentice

At the Brighton Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP), we pride ourselves on being the driving force behind initiatives like Operation Apprentice, ensuring that the voices of local businesses are heard, represented, and acted upon. This joint operation with Sussex Police exemplifies our adaptable, localised approach to crime reduction, supported by the intelligence and insights gathered through the Brighton DISC system and our members.

A Unified Voice for Safer Business

What Is Op Apprentice?

Operation Apprentice is a targeted, collaborative, partnership-led approach, driving meaningful change in high-harm areas.

Op Apprentice is designed to address retail crime in Brighton by focusing on high-priority offenders and emerging hotspots that harm local businesses. Since its inception, the operation has evolved to provide a unified, collaborative response to retail crime, offering not only enforcement but also support for addressing root causes such as substance misuse and exploitation.

How It Works

Bi-Weekly Partnership Intelligence Meetings

The Brighton Crime Reduction Partnership lead bi-weekly meetings, known as the Business Intelligence Meeting (BIM) bringing together key stakeholders, including Sussex Police, Change Grow Live (CGL), the Initial Investigation Team (IIT), the Business Improvement District (BID), Churchill Square, and the National Business Crime Solution (NBCS).

Using reports from the Brighton DISC system and intelligence from partners, the group identifies priority offenders, emerging trends, and high-harm locations.

Weekly Days of Action

Insights from the stakeholder meetings form the foundation for weekly enforcement days, or days of action as we like to call them. On these days of action, our BCRP field officer teams up with Neighbourhood Police representatives to visit the hotspot areas, address concerns raised by businesses, support evidence gathering, and assist with arrests of prolific offenders. The Op Apprentice strategies and action points are shared on the Brighton DISC platform, so businesses are kept informed and the work is transparent.

Supporting Evidence

The Brighton Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) prepares comprehensive statement bundles for court, representing the harm caused to businesses. This process spares business owners the need to attend court themselves while ensuring their concerns, and their voices, are fully represented.

Stuart Reaks, Operations Manager, The Co-Op

"What is also great is how the BCRP are connecting me with the right stakeholders to deal with the varying issues such as homelessness, drug abuse, and youth crime, which are all huge impacts on stores in Brighton so having a central connection like the BCRP is fundamental to driving progress in such a complicated city."

"Knowing I have the support of the BCRP to support me and my colleagues in driving the issues to the forefront and connecting us with the police in a meaningful way has without a doubt helped us with driving down crime, in particular shoplifting, and more importantly makes my team feel supported to a level that not many other areas of the Coop could say."

Why Operation Apprentice Matters

Operation Apprentice bridges the gap between enforcement and community support, ensuring businesses feel protected and empowered. Through initiatives like these, the Brighton Crime Reduction Partnership demonstrates its commitment to fostering a safer business environment by:

  • Identifying Trends and Individuals of Concern
    DISC reports and intelligence meetings highlight patterns of offending, enabling a swift, targeted response.

  • Reducing Harm
    By addressing the behaviours of prolific offenders and providing interventions, the operation contributes to safer, more vibrant business districts.

  • Providing Support
    With partners like CGL, we offer avenues for offenders to seek help, addressing the root causes of their behaviors.

Success Stories: Showcasing the Real Impact

Case Study: Tackling Acquisitive Crime St James’ Street

An acquisitive offender repeatedly targeted Co-Op and Superdrug stores in Brighton, stealing high-value items and causing significant disruption to businesses in the area. Identified as a subject through the Business Intelligence Meeting (BIM) under Operation Apprentice, the individual became the focus of enforcement efforts during one of the weekly dedicated Thursday days of action.

While enforcement agencies worked to build evidence against him, support was also sought to address the root causes of his offending, including substance misuse. Partners from Change Grow Live (CGL) joined patrols to engage the offender within the community and offer help.

In January 2024, the offender was issued a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) with strict prohibitions, barring him from entering any Co-Op in Sussex, Superdrug stores in Brighton and Hove, and Tesco Jubilee Street. This legal action had a profound impact on the local area, significantly reducing shop theft and associated harms, such as public drug use, anti-social behavior (ASB), and exploitation—issues often linked to acquisitive crime but overlooked in its broader context.

The court order not only curtailed the offender’s activities but also contributed to a safer and more secure environment for businesses and the wider community on St James’s Street. This outcome highlights how Operation Apprentice’s targeted, collaborative approach drives meaningful change in high-harm areas.

Inspector James Ward, Sussex Police, Initial Investigations Team (IIT)

“The relationship between the Sussex Police Business Crime Team and BCRP is integral to the success of identifying and catching offenders impacting on our business communities. Working closely together along with the businesses of Brighton and Hove we will continue to bring those causing the most harm to justice and making every effort in making our communities safe.”

PC Gina Baker, Sussex Police, Neighbourhood Police Team

“The partnership between Sussex Police and BCRP under Op Apprentice provides a more effective and efficient way of working with local businesses to bring high harm offenders to justice. We strive to better our relationship with businesses to reduce their losses, with all efforts being underpinned by a community-oriented approach to ensure that all shop workers are protected from unwarranted harm. This partnership has successfully returned many positive results – we will continue to work together to get many more.”

Op Apprentice: Action Days

A day in the life

The days of action are the lifeblood of Operation Apprentice, transforming intelligence and collaboration into tangible results on the ground. While the Business Intelligence Meetings and member reports act as the strategic brain behind the operation, the days of action are where our collective efforts come to life, addressing priority offenders and delivering meaningful change for businesses and the community.

But don’t just take our word for it—here’s what a typical day of action looks like in practice:

CCTV Reviewed: 9 pieces reviewed, with 7 identifications made by BCRP staff.

Statements Prepared: MG11 witness statements completed to support police investigations.

Crime Prevention: DISC training and welfare visits to support staff affected by violence or incidents.

Community Impact: Vulnerable individuals supported, missing persons located, and arrests made—all shared promptly with businesses through DISC instant messaging.

Every outcome and interaction from the day of action is fed back into the BIM ensuring progress continues.

This relentless cycle of review, action, and follow-up keeps Operation Apprentice driving forward, making a lasting impact for businesses and the community.

Ready to Take Action and Join Us ?

Join us in shaping a safer, more secure future for businesses and the community. Become part of Operation Apprentice and help turn intelligence into impact.