00:00Merseyside Police has expanded Operation Dale after a successful pilot in Liverpool introduced a faster way of investigating retail crime.
00:10The force says the approach uses digital evidence and streamlined procedures to progress suitable cases more quickly while maintaining national
00:19charging standards throughout investigations.
00:21The system allows retailers to upload CCTV footage alongside digital witness statements from staff when offenders can be clearly identified.
00:32Where there's sufficient evidence, officers can submit cases for prosecution without interviewing suspects, reducing unnecessary investigative steps before charging decisions
00:42are made.
00:43Police say the pilot reduced the average time between a suspect arriving in custody and being charged by around seven
00:50hours.
00:51Detectives also report consistently earlier guilty pleas in court, while the Crown Prosecution Service has raised no concerns about cases
01:00submitted through the process.
01:02Officers say the time saved allows investigators to return to neighbourhood policing sooner and focus on other priorities.
01:10Police believe many prolific shoplifters are also linked to burglary, drug-related offending, antisocial behaviour and violence against women and
01:19girls across communities.
01:21Police say the fully electronic process improves efficiency, delivers faster justice for victims and businesses and helps officers target repeat
01:28offenders.
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