A brand-new crime prevention tool has been launched to help support businesses and retail staff in Bromsgrove. 

Designed as a user-friendly mobile application, the Dynamic Incident System for Communities (DISC) allows businesses, which have signed up to the data-sharing agreement, to securely share images of known offenders in the area. 

They can also add witness statements, alert users to any issues including counterfeit notes in circulation, report incidents directly to the police and effectively coordinate responses to security threats. 

The new initiative has been funded and driven by Bromsgrove District Council and aims to reduce theft as well as help local retailers and businesses better protect themselves and their property, staff and customers. 

Safer Neighbourhood Inspector Richard Field said: "DISC enables shops and key agencies to work together to address local crime and an opportunity to feed intelligence of known offenders to each other.

"By working together in partnership, it can address local crime trends and support our retailers and local shopkeepers. West Mercia Police has invested heavily in technology and strives to be a tech-enabled crime fighting service, schemes like this support our vision."

The deputy leader of Bromsgrove District Council and portfolio holder for economic development and regeneration, councillor Sue Baxter, said: “This is a collaborative tool which we can use to reduce low-level crime and antisocial behaviour.

"I hope businesses around the district get on board because it has the potential to make a big difference to crime reduction, as well as reducing the losses experienced because of theft and criminal behaviour."

For more information about DISC go to https://discagainstcrime.com/ or to register for the scheme contact bromreddshopwatch@outlook.co.uk