It’s been over a year since the 12-month free UKPAC membership was introduced for businesses in Devon and Cornwall, and the South West has not only adopted the tools and platforms created to report crimes, but arguably more importantly are already seeing the positive impact of such activity in their latest crime figures.
As of August 2026, Devon, Cornwall and Isle of Scilly Business BID (DCI BID) report over 2,000 business are now supported by UK Partners Against Crime. Since January alone, that equates to an incredible £154,000 in savings, or 47 days of officer time just from users utilising the UKPAC Crime Hub to report and share intelligence directly with police.
Crime stats for Devon and Cornwall year to March 2026 report a 9.1% reduction in shoplifting, despite the region already having one of the lowest rates of shoplifting in the UK. Encouragingly, this shows an engaged community can benefit from a system in place such as UKPAC, despite contextually not being a ‘hotspot’ for high crime activity in general terms.
Localised trends such as under reporting on crime in the area has also played a part in potentially skewing the statistics, as shoplifting still remains one of the region’s most commonly reported crimes, despite the overall shoplifting level being relatively low.
Thanks to Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall Alison Hernandez, businesses in Devon and Cornwall have been able to enjoy 12 months access to the UKPAC platform, giving those businesses that have been impacted by crime a no-risk opportunity to explore easier reporting and create better relationships with police and local authorities.
The PCC commented: “Businesses should not have to accept theft, abuse and antisocial behaviour as simply part of the job. The fact that thousands of businesses and organisations across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are now working together through this partnership sends a strong message that our communities are taking a united approach to business crime.
"Reporting crime is paramount. What might appear to be a single incident for one business could form part of a much wider pattern of offending affecting several businesses across different towns."
So far, UKPAC activity in the South West demonstrates how UK Partners Against Crime is delivering not just a reporting platform, but building community and a support structure that are united in the fight against crime.
Generally deemed as one of the lower risk regions for crime in the UK, 12 months in Devon and Cornwall are still standing together to build a stronger intelligence picture and support coordinated action for the benefit of everyone that lives and work in the community.