Retail crime is more than just an industry challenge—it’s a community crisis. Shoplifting, stock loss, and assaults on retail staff are rising at an alarming rate, leaving businesses vulnerable and workers at risk. The solution? A united front.
That’s exactly what Fight Back Against Retail Crime (FBARC) delivers.
Led by Umar Haq, Matt Gilmartin, Stewart Codling, and Heidi Laybourn, FBARC is rewriting the rulebook on crime prevention. More than an event, it’s a movement, bringing together retailers, police, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), and security providers to fight back together.
Now officially supported by the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), FBARC is expanding rapidly—with over ten new events planned across the UK this year alone.
For its unparalleled commitment to community-driven crime prevention, lasting partnerships, and real-world impact, we proudly nominate Fight Back Against Retail Crime for the Community Heroes Award.
A Different Kind of Crime Prevention Event
There are brilliant national security events that provide invaluable insights into crime prevention and security innovations. But FBARC takes a different approach. This is not a distant conference or a high-level industry summit. FBARC brings the event to the community.
It’s a door-to-door service for crime prevention—meeting retailers where they are, addressing their unique challenges, and equipping them with tailored, practical solutions.
Each free, 2-hour session provides:
- Stronger Local Connections – Businesses, police, and BIDs work together, forming a united front against repeat offenders.
- Hands-On Security Demonstrations – Attendees can see, touch, and test innovative security solutions like fog generators, DNA sprays, noise deterrents, and remote monitoring.
- Expert Crime Prevention Advice – Security professionals provide practical, actionable strategies to deter and stop crime.
- Proactive, Not Reactive Security – FBARC helps businesses move from reacting to crime to preventing it from happening in the first place.
The success of previous FBARC events in places like Reading and High Wycombe speaks for itself. As Thames Valley Police Commander Steve Raffield put it:
“This event is about all of us coming together in collaboration to create safer environments for retailers whilst ensuring that we, the police, have the best opportunity to disrupt and pursue those who choose to steal or use violence.”
National Recognition & Industry Support
FBARC is no longer just a local success story—it’s a national movement.
With the official backing of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), FBARC has gained industry-wide recognition, ensuring its continued growth, credibility, and impact.
A Worthy Winner of the Community Heroes Award
FBARC is revolutionising crime prevention—not in conference halls, but on the ground, in the heart of local communities. It is:
- Delivering real impact – Helping businesses protect their staff, stock, and livelihoods.
- Building stronger partnerships – Ensuring businesses, police, and security providers work together, not in isolation.
- Expanding nationwide – With over ten new events planned and BSIA support, FBARC is set to transform retail security across the UK.
FBARC is not just fighting crime—it’s fighting for communities, for businesses, and for a safer future.
For these reasons, we proudly nominate Fight Back Against Retail Crime for the Community Heroes Award.