The NRCI works closely with the Anti Social Behaviour Unit (ASBU) which is run by the Northampton Borough Council. The ASBU is made up of police and council staff and coordinates action against individuals responsible for anti social behaviour.
The ASBU uses various methods including Anti Social Behaviour Orders, Acceptable Behaviour Agreements, Injunctions, warning letters and referrals to the Youth Service.
In the past few years the NRCI has, with the help of the ASBU, obtained ASBOs on various persistent offenders. Some of these cases were widely reported in the media and included the very first ASBO in Northampton on a convicted thief who was banned from the entire Town Centre. Other equally high profile cases involved a number of other aggressive shoplifters who were also banned from entering the town centre and all NRCI member stores. One ASBO was imposed for five years by Northampton Magistrates Court. In 2009 a Conviction Related Anti-Social Behaviour Order (CRASBO) was granted at Daventry Magistrates Court following a trial which saw the NRCI Co-ordinator, Police Liaison Officer and several retail staff from various member stores giving evidence as witnesses. One of Northampton's most prolific shop thieves had the CRASBO imposed against him. It included conditions prohibiting him from using or threatening abusive language or behaviour to any member of staff in any retail premises; remaining in any retail premises when asked to leave by staff and from entering any retail premises listed in any exclusion order made against him
The NRCI continues to refer cases to the ASBU and work in partnership.
The NRCI works with various partners including the Northamptonshire Police. The NRCI is one of the few retail initiatives in the country that have a dedicated police liaison officer. This post provides a strong link with all the other services of Northants Police.
Over the last few years, Safer Community Teams have been rolled out throughout the county. These teams are responsible for the local policing of communities and include not only regular Police Officers but also Police Community Support Officers, Special Constables and Neighbourhood Wardens. The NRCI works closely with Safer Community Teams to help retailers with local problems.
