Launch of Retailers Against Crime Billboard Campaign
National Billboard Campaign Launched to Keep Communities Safe.
Retail crime experts have launched a national billboard campaign to raise public awareness of criminal techniques and behaviours, helping people recognise warning signs, stay vigilant and reduce their risk of becoming a victim of crime.
The initiative from retail crime partnership Retailers Against Crime (RAC) sees their `Retail Crime Techniques: A Community Awareness Guide’ displayed on JCDecaux communication hub screens across the UK.
The campaign was launched in Glasgow – where the publication features on advertising screens based at busy shopping areas in Buchanan Street and Sauchiehall Street – before being rolled out nationally.
The guide raises awareness of the growing impact of retail crime and highlights a range of criminal techniques that members of the public may encounter, including distraction theft, counterfeit gift cards, ATM fraud, compensation scams and impersonation scams.
It provides practical advice on how to recognise warning signs, what to do if a theft happens and how people can protect themselves and reduce their risk of becoming a victim of crime. Stephanie Karté, CEO of RAC, said: “I would like to sincerely thank JCDecaux for supporting this campaign and helping us share these important messages with communities across the UK.
“At Retailers Against Crime, we are passionate about helping people stay safer. If this guide helps even one person recognise the warning signs of crime or avoid becoming a victim, then it has made a real difference. Together, we can raise awareness, encourage vigilance and help create safer communities for everyone.”
The initiative was launched thanks to a partnership with the JCDecaux Community Channel which supports charities and not-for-profit organisations through the power of the public screen.
The company’s communication hubs are smart street units featuring a large digital screen for adverts on one side paired with a smaller interactive touchscreen and integrated public defibrillator on the other.
Mike MacLennan, Partnerships Manager at JCDecaux, was delighted to help RAC boost their community awareness messaging via the communication hub screens.
He said: “The campaign fits perfectly with our ethos at JCDecaux of giving back to the community and the information in the guide provides a real benefit for everyone we partner with.
“We heard about the excellent work carried out by Retailers Against Crime to combat and increase awareness of retail crime and we were keen to play a part in supporting this and sharing their message.
“We are proud to use our digital assets in cities across the UK to help raise community awareness and amplify this important campaign through our screens.”
The community awareness guide features across seven billboards in Glasgow, and the city centre’s Business Improvement District, Let’s Go Glasgow BID, is also supporting the campaign.
Interim Chief Executive Chandra Pollock said: “Let’s Go Glasgow is proud to support Retailers Against Crime and JCDecaux in bringing this community awareness campaign to Glasgow city centre.
“Our levy-paying businesses invest in a safer, more resilient trading environment and initiatives like this deliver a direct return: reduced crime and disorder, greater footfall confidence and a city centre that customers, staff and visitors alike feel good about spending time in.”
Police Scotland’s Glasgow Retail Crime Taskforce also backed the project. Sergeant Ross McBurney said: “The Retail Crime Taskforce works closely with partners such as Retailers Against Crime to tackle shop theft and offences against retail workers.
“We are delighted to support the launch of this initiative, which sees a helpful guide for community awareness around safety whilst shopping made available to the public on Smart Screens situated within busy retail areas. This measure can help make our towns, cities and shopping centres, safer places for the communities of Scotland.”
The community guide, which is sponsored by retail security specialists Total Security Services (TSS), highlights the need for communities to work together to make a real difference and notes that awareness is the first step towards retail crime prevention.
Its full contents can be accessed by scanning a QR code and the messaging features on around 400 JCDecaux screens across a wide range of UK cities including Aberdeen, London, Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham.
Later this year, the screens will be upgraded with new software to feature a digital button which people can touch to find the specific information they want from the guide even quicker.
By increasing awareness of the criminal tactics members of the public may encounter, the `Retail Crime Techniques: A Community Awareness Guide’ publication aims to help people feel safer and more confident while visiting their local towns and cities.
The guide also includes counter-terrorism awareness information, helping the public understand what to look out for and who to contact should they witness anything suspicious.
It can be viewed here – RAC Community Awareness Guide 2026
