Thief apprehended by Icom text message
A thief was caught red-handed in Eastbourne's Arndale Shopping Centre thanks to a new voice and data radio messaging system from radio manufacturer Icom (UK) Ltd. The contents of the bag, which included a credit card, were stolen from a shopper in the town centre branch of Sainsburys on March 12.
The thief was apprehended in Sports Soccer just 20 minutes later, whilst attempting to use the stolen card. The culprit did not bank on the store having access to the Eastbourne Business Crime Group's new Shopwatch radio system.
The Arndale is the first shopping centre in the UK to implement the new voice and data radio system, which is designed to speed up crime reporting using text messaging technology. Fast-acting Eastbourne Arndale Centre security guards sent a text message of the victim's credit card details to all retailers in the centre from their control room computer, within minutes of the theft being reported. Vigilant staff in Sports Soccer matched the name in the text message with the stolen card and was immediately able to inform Arndale Security Guards, who came and detained the individual. Police Officers arrested the offender. Arndale Centre security staff were able to return the credit card and a social security book to the owner.
Bill Plumridge, manager of the Arndale Centre and chairman of the Eastbourne Business Crime Group said, 'We are delighted. Due to the prompt actions of our security staff along with those of the staff in Sports Soccer, we were able to apprehend the individual and reunite the customer with her belongings.'
He added, 'Text messaging has proved to be a great advance in reporting criminal activity and gives further evidence as to why every retailer in Eastbourne should join the group. The Fast Frequency Shift Keying voice and data system has proved successful for the Eastbourne Business Crime Group as it allows users to send text messages regarding criminal activity in just half a second to individual shops or groups of businesses, Police and CCTV operators.'
Bill said, 'As radio users often don't hear messages or forget descriptions, the text messages can be stored in the radio for ongoing reference, and also means shoppers do not overhear sensitive information.'
Icom UK Marketing -
marketing@icomuk.co.uk
25/05/2004
