Supreme Crimefighter Awards 2018

Last Thursday, we had the pleasure of hosting the Supreme Crimefighter Awards 2018. We were joined by crimefighters from across the community, from New Zealand and Australia, to celebrate the awesome year we’ve had in loss prevention.  

Why do we run the Supreme Crimefighter Awards?

Auror is built on the belief that crime is a community problem, and at its core, one that cannot be solved alone.

That is why our awards this year recognise those across the whole crime prevention spectrum. From those on the frontline in stores and shopping centres, to the police, and to the leadership of these businesses that have prioritised safety and loss reduction internally.

Many of the finalists have been nominated by the community of retailers and police and these nominations recognise you all for going above and beyond to prevent crime and reduce crime in your community.

The categories this year were:

• Site of the Year
• Store Loss Prevention Hero
• Covert of the Year
• Emerging Police team of the Year
• Operation of the Year
• Loss Prevention hero of the Year
• Police Hero of the Year
• Retailer of the Year

Site of the Year

Finalists

• Pak n Save Royal Oak
• Broadmeadows Central
• Mitre 10 MEGA Westgate
• Countdown Botany

Winner - Broadmeadows Central - Vicinity Centres

The team at Vicinity Broadmeadows Central have focused on creating a smarter security strategy for their centre  to safeguard their shoppers, tenants and team. Their proactive approach has improved centre safety and collaboration with local police.

Store Loss Prevention Hero

Finalists

• Lynne Findlater - Foodstuffs South island
• Villi Mafileo - Farmers
• Ethan Foote - Briscoe Group
• John Loli - Briscoe Group

Winner - Villi Mafileo - LPM Farmers Manukau

Villi is a loss prevention professional, whose prevention strategies and initiatives in store have led to an incredible 82% prevention rate despite having the highest incident count across the group.

Covert of the Year

Finalists

• Joshua Tame
• Denhs Bourlessas
• Donna Morely

Winner - Denhs Bourlessas - Wilsons Security

Denhs has made a huge contribution to preventing incidents and working closely with local police to share intelligence and assist with relevant investigations. His efforts have recently resulted in the disruption of a major organised retail crime ring operating in Melbourne.

Emerging Police Team

Finalists

• Counties Manukau ISU team
• Eastern ISU team
• Hamilton ISU team
  

Winner - Hamilton Police Investigation Support Unit

We’re excited to recognise the Hamilton Investigation Support Team, who have been making huge strides to better work with their community, with a particular focus on recidivist offenders. These efforts have resulted in an increase in police outcomes (arrests and charges laid) against offenders in the area.

Operation of the Year

Finalists

• Operation Bandit.
• Cooler bag Operation

Winner - Cooler Bag Operation

This is a great example of retailers working to displace crime in their communities, and disrupting receiver networks. In collaboration with police they’re not only driving down loss in their stores, but more importantly they are creating safer communities across Australia.

Loss Prevention Hero

Finalists

• Doug Rawson - Countdown
• Nathan Breed - Briscoe Group
• Michael Hulme - Farmers
• Glen Forrester - Foodstuffs South Island
• Noel De Sair - Vicinity Centres

Winner - Michael Hulme

He has been working successfully to advance loss prevention practices within the New Zealand retail community, sharing strategies and templates to develop a consistent industry approach to the problems faced. His efforts are not only valued by his employees, but the entire crimefighting community.

Police Hero of the Year

Finalists

• Antony Vannini - Counties Police
• Julia Reddish - Waikato Police
• Matthew Murray - Waitemata Police
• Matthew George - Wellington Police
• Darren Sims - Canterbury Police

Winner - Matthew Murray

We are recognising Matt for the immense leadership he has shown, coordinating Operation Bandit, which led to over 480 retail related charges across the Waitemata west area, making a significant dent in crime in his district.

Retailer of the Year

Finalists

• Farmers Trading Co.
• Countdown Supermarkets
• Briscoe Group

Winner - Briscoe Group

The commitment from the board and stores to reduce loss has been reflected in their loss reduction results over the last 2.5 years. - having reduced loss by 50% in percentage terms in this time. This achievement shows that by having the support, commitment and passion to reduce crime you can achieve outstanding outcomes.

Well done to all the winners and finalists this year and to the awesome community of crimefighters that worked so hard this year to make their communities safer! Have a safe and happy holiday season and we look forward to working with you in the new year.