National Acquisitive Crime Conference 2026
Tackling acquisitive crime through insight, collaboration, and action. The National Acquisitive Crime Conference unites UK policing and security professionals to share real-world insights and proven strategies that tackle acquisitive crime head-on.
Sponsored by Selectamark Security Systems plc
Why Attend?
- Learn from those leading the UK crime response
Gain a comprehensive view of today's acquisitive crime landscape through insights from police forces, private sector professionals, and respected industry organisations. - Gain actionable insights from real-world case studies
Access knowledge and strategies from proven crime prevention initiatives, including projects recognised as best-practice by the College of Policing. - Be part of the problem-solving conversation
Participate in panel discussions and networking sessions designed to drive collaboration and solve real-world challenges. - Make contacts that enhance your policing impact
Build relationships with colleagues and experts who can support your crime prevention and response efforts.
7th July 2026
Focuses on all types of acquisitive crime and antisocial behaviour, including tool & equipment theft, retail crime, and burglary
- Uniting public and private sector.
- Sharing best practice and real-world case studies.
- Creating valuable networking opportunities.
- FREE to attend.
8th July 2026
Shines a spotlight on cycle theft, including best-practice sessions on prevention, enforcement, intelligence gathering, and community engagement.
- Bringing together leaders in cycle industry.
- Sharing best practice and real-world case studies.
- Creating valuable networking opportunities.
- FREE to attend.
Day 1 Speakers & Panellists
Assistant Chief Constable Christian Bunt
Thames Valley Police
Christian Bunt is Assistant Chief Constable for Local Policing at Thames Valley Police, one of the largest non-metropolitan forces in England and Wales. He leads the strategic delivery of local policing across five Local Command Units, with responsibility for Patrol and Response, Neighbourhood Policing, CID, Priority Crime, Domestic Abuse and Harm Reduction. His portfolio includes force-wide neighbourhood policing strategy, policy and practice development, and citizens-in-policing activity, alongside strategic partnerships across three counties and Milton Keynes. Christian is also the South East regional lead for Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention and the NPCC lead for the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Programme (JESIP).
Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Crowe
Durham Constabulary
Andrew Crowe is a career detective and currently serves as Durham Constabulary’s Force Strategic Lead for Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), Domestic Abuse and Safeguarding Adults. A strong advocate of Evidence-Based Policing, he focuses on prevention-led approaches that reduce harm to vulnerable victims. In 2022, Andrew introduced the use of forensic marking technology to protect victims of domestic abuse, supporting its development through academic research. As force lead, he continues to promote innovative, evidence-based interventions that strengthen safeguarding and prevent further harm across communities.
Detective Inspector Hannah Wilson
Durham Constabulary
Detective Inspector Hannah Wilson is Branch Head of Durham Constabulary’s Homicide and Major Investigation Team (HMIT). She is the force lead for Operation Wicker, an innovative initiative using forensic marking technology to protect victims of domestic abuse and stalking. Hannah has driven the development and delivery of Operation Wicker since managing a Safeguarding Department in Darlington. Through collaboration with Durham University and the College of Policing, she has contributed to research demonstrating a reduction in domestic abuse and recognising its wider preventative impact for safeguarding and homicide prevention.
Sergeant David Catlow
Metropolitan Police
David Catlow is a serving Sergeant with the Metropolitan Police and has spent recent years leading on vehicle and tool theft across the South East. As South East Vehicle Crime Lead, he has focused on both theft of and theft from motor vehicles, where he began his work tackling tool theft. David works closely with the trades and construction industry, delivering proactive operations, crime prevention initiatives and supporting policy and legislative change. He is soon to join the National Business Crime Centre, taking on a national role tackling tool theft.
Professor Emmeline Taylor
City St George’s, University of London
Professor Emmeline Taylor is an author, broadcaster and academic specialising in business and retail crime. Based at City St George’s, University of London, her work focuses on crime and security issues affecting retail environments both online and in-store. She has published extensively on retail crime and criminal justice and works closely with industry, policing and the UK Government. Professor Taylor sits on the UK National Retail Crime Forum and hosts the podcast Retail Crime Uncovered, sharing evidence-based insight on emerging retail crime trends and solutions.
Chief Superintendent Gareth Wrigley
Cheshire Police
Gareth Wrigley is a Chief Superintendent with Cheshire Police, currently serving in Force Operations Command. He leads complex operational activity, including armed policing, critical incident response and specialist capabilities. Gareth has extensive experience overseeing high-risk and time-critical incidents, with a strong focus on public protection and decision-making. He has a particular interest in the use of forensic and preventative technologies and works closely with partners across policing and industry to strengthen prevention, investigations and outcomes for victims and communities.
Katy Bourne OBE, Police and Crime Commissioner
Sussex
Katy Bourne OBE is the Police and Crime Commissioner for Sussex and the national PCC lead for business and retail crime. She is currently serving her fourth term in office. As PCC, Katy holds Sussex Police to account and sets the strategic direction for the force through the Police and Crime Plan. Nationally, she champions initiatives focused on reducing retail and business crime, strengthening prevention and improving support for victims and frontline staff, working closely with policing, partners and government.
Chief Inspector Rav Pathania
Metropolitan Police Service
Rav Pathania is a Chief Inspector with the Metropolitan Police Service, working across business crime and partnership-focused policing. He has experience in roles aimed at reducing acquisitive crime and minimising harm to businesses, communities and victims. Rav strongly advocates collaboration between policing, retailers and industry partners, supporting approaches that combine prevention, enforcement and partnership working to disrupt retail and acquisitive crime and improve confidence for businesses and frontline staff.
Andrew Brown, Security Manager
Dalkia HPC Operations
Andrew Brown is the Security Manager for Dalkia Nuclear, operating as a Tier 1 contractor at Hinkley Point C in Somerset. He works in accordance with Office for Nuclear Regulation requirements, where the same expectations placed on the Licence Holder also apply to Tier 1 contractors and the wider supply chain. His responsibilities include asset management and wider site security oversight. Alongside his role at Hinkley Point C, Andrew also acts as Group Security Lead for Dalkia UK, providing strategic security guidance and advice to Dalkia Board members across the organisation.
Carl Abraitis, Director
VP plc
Carl Abraitis is a Director at VP plc, one of the UK’s leading providers of specialist plant and equipment to major infrastructure programmes. Within the VP Group, Carl has supported initiatives to address the growing issue of plant and equipment theft. In response, Torrent Trackside partnered with SelectaDNA to forensically mark a significant proportion of its asset base, supported by a targeted deterrence and awareness campaign. The programme has delivered a significant reduction in plant theft and presents a scalable model for wider adoption across the VP Group portfolio.
Police Inspector Emma Wright
Police Scotland
Emma Wright is a Police Inspector with Police Scotland and a member of the Retail Crime Taskforce. Appointed in June 2025, she works collaboratively with retailers and stakeholders to address organised and high‑harm retail crime across Scotland. Emma focuses on both enforcement and prevention, recognising the financial and personal impact of retail crime on businesses and staff. With dedicated funding secured until 2029, she is supporting the continued development of innovative, partnership‑led approaches that deliver meaningful and sustained reductions in retail offending.
Jeff Taylor, National Security Manager
Openreach
Jeff Taylor is the National Security Manager for Openreach, working in partnership with BT Group. His role focuses on insider threat risk, asset theft and the protection of critical network infrastructure. Jeff manages a broad range of security challenges, including cable theft, network attacks and employee fraud, and works closely with police forces across the UK to tackle organised and acquisitive crime impacting national infrastructure. His work sits at the intersection of corporate security and policing collaboration.
Jon Ellis, Police and Government Liaison
Tesco
Jon Ellis is Police and Government Liaison at Tesco, working with police forces and government agencies across the UK to strengthen collaboration and reduce retail crime. In previous security leadership roles, Jon supported store safety across large regions of the Tesco estate. In his current role, he focuses on partnership working, information sharing and national initiatives that keep retail crime firmly on the agenda while supporting safer working environments for retail colleagues and customers.
Paul Street, Physical Security Team Manager
VodafoneThree
Paul Street is Physical Security Team Manager at VodafoneThree, responsible for protecting assets and personnel across data centres, network infrastructure and the retail estate. A key aspect of his role involves investigating burglaries, robberies and organised crime group‑related theft, working closely with law enforcement. Paul brings extensive experience in tackling organised crime and safeguarding vulnerable people, applying prevention-focused approaches to address retail and infrastructure crime in complex operating environments.
Chief Inspector Stewart Codling
Thames Valley Police
Stewart Codling is a Chief Inspector with Thames Valley Police and currently leads the Neighbourhood Policing response in Berkshire East. His work focuses on tackling acquisitive crime and supporting retailers across the area. Stewart was instrumental in establishing the Fight Back Against Retail Crime community events, bringing policing and security expertise directly to local areas. He is also an active member of the national Retail Crime Action Group, helping drive operational responses to retail crime.
Mohammed Qazi, Head of Intelligence
Safer Business Network
Mohammed Qazi is Head of Intelligence at Safer Business Network, leading intelligence services and partnership activity across multiple London boroughs. His work focuses on coordinating intelligence‑led approaches to tackle prolific offenders and organised crime affecting businesses and the night‑time economy. Mohammed oversees initiatives that bring together businesses, police and local authorities to identify patterns of offending, share insight and support targeted disruption activity that delivers practical crime reduction.
Day 2 Speakers & Panellists
Inspector Jen Stockwell
North Yorkshire Police
Jen is a Neighbourhood Policing Inspector with North Yorkshire Police, bringing 18 years of policing experience. After transferring from the Metropolitan Police Service in 2025, she now leads the York Inner Neighbourhood Policing Team. Jen focuses on prevention-led, evidence-based approaches to tackling local crime priorities and has built strong partnerships with local authorities, universities, retailers and community groups. This collaborative work has played a key role in reducing cycle theft across York. Jen is passionate about early intervention and regularly shares best practice to support acquisitive crime prevention locally and nationally.
Inspector Rob Campbell
North Yorkshire Police
Rob is a Neighbourhood Policing Inspector with North Yorkshire Police, leading the Selby District Neighbourhood Policing Team. He brings over 20 years of policing experience across response, neighbourhood policing, custody and communications roles. A strong advocate of evidence‑based policing, Rob has led targeted partnership work to reduce cycle theft through hotspot analysis, offender management and improved intelligence sharing. His approach focuses on practical prevention and placing communities at the centre of neighbourhood policing activity.
Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner
Thames Valley Police
Matthew was elected Police and Crime Commissioner in 2021, having previously served as Deputy PCC since 2017. He has focused on strengthening prevention and tackling acquisitive crime across Thames Valley. Working in partnership with SelectaDNA, Matthew is leading a large-scale programme of free property marking, encouraging residents to take practical steps to protect their property. He also challenges government to make better use of existing legislation to disrupt the trade in stolen goods, support police investigations and reduce crime across communities.
Inspector Ross Woods
Cumbria Police
Ross has 19 years’ policing experience and currently serves as Neighbourhood Policing Inspector for the South Lakes area of Cumbria, covering a large geographical area with significant seasonal demand. He leads Operation Raptor, the local response to nighttime acquisitive crime following repeated burglaries and bike thefts in Kendal. Ross focuses on visible neighbourhood policing, targeted enforcement and problem-solving to address emerging crime patterns and community concerns.
Sophie Kerton, Probation Officer
Probation Service (South West)
Sophie is a Probation Officer specialising in Integrated Offender Management in the South West. She works closely with police, local authorities and partner agencies to manage individuals involved in persistent acquisitive crime. Her work focuses on high-harm offenders with complex needs, including substance misuse, trauma and homelessness. Sophie delivers person-centred supervision and contributes to multi-agency problem-solving aimed at reducing reoffending, managing risk and improving community safety.
PC Stuart Dixon
Northumbria Police
Stuart has 32 years of frontline policing experience and most recently served as Northumbria University Liaison Officer, leading work to tackle cycle crime across the campus. Alongside PC Fintan Fitzpatrick, Stuart has delivered proactive operations including covert surveillance, stinger bikes, high‑visibility patrols and engagement sessions. This work formed part of Operation SALUS, which earned a Pride in Policing Award and is recognised nationally as best practice.
PC Fintan Fitzpatrick
Northumbria Police
Fintan has over 20 years of policing experience and currently serves on the Newcastle City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team. Working closely with PC Stuart Dixon, he has delivered proactive and partnership‑led operations targeting cycle crime, including enforcement activity and engagement with local partners. Their work on Operation SALUS was recognised with a Pride in Policing Award and is viewed by the College of Policing as national best practice.
Inspector Titus Halliwell
City of London Police
Titus is the National Police Lead for Cycle Theft Reduction and has spent many years supporting cycle crime prevention across the UK. Formerly with the Metropolitan Police, he is now seconded to the National Business Crime Centre, hosted by the City of London Police. In this role, Titus supports UK policing and businesses through prevention-focused, practical approaches to reducing cycle theft and associated harm.
Donna Grover, Crime Prevention Advisor
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary
Donna joined Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary as a Crime Prevention Advisor in 2020, supporting officers with crime prevention advice and problem-solving plans. In 2022, she co-launched BikeRegister force-wide with Victoria Snow, using marking events as a creative engagement tool in communities that have traditionally not engaged positively with police. This work helped secure additional funding for antisocial behaviour and serious violence hotspots and formed part of an award-winning project in Leigh Park, which received a national Tilley Award. Donna continues to expand BikeRegister across the force, working closely with partners to strengthen prevention and community engagement.
Victoria Snow, Crime Prevention Advisor
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary
Victoria joined Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary in 2008 and has spent the past eight years as a Crime Prevention Advisor. Alongside Donna Grover, she co-led Operation Concur and the force-wide BikeRegister rollout, securing funding for and coordinating the distribution of more than 15,000 kits. Their work has strengthened engagement, governance and intelligence-gathering across serious violence and antisocial behaviour hotspots.
“The award was a springboard to promote the innovative work nationally, on Crimewatch, The Economist and the College of Policing Practice Bank.”
Awards
The National Acquisitive Crime Reduction Awards returns in 2026 to celebrate outstanding contributions to crime prevention and enforcement.
Submit a nomination Do you know a project, team, or individual deserving of recognition? Find out more about how to submit a nomination on our awards page.
Frequently asked questions
Location
De Vere Latimer Estate
Chesham
Buckinghamshire
HP5 1UG
Just 30 mins by tube from Baker Street or 30 mins from M1 J8
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