FAQs
Is Project Scarecrow free?
Who funds Project Scarecrow?
Who controls the information?
Do I need any software?
How is information shared?
Can independent farm shops join?
Can multi-site retailers join?
Will police receive information?
What happens after I apply?
Why are only 50 businesses being selected?
Is my information secure?
Click on Question to go to Answer
01
Is Project Scarecrow free?
Yes.
Project Scarecrow is currently being delivered as a fully funded pilot programme, meaning there is no cost for selected Founding Members to participate.
The pilot has been established to demonstrate the benefits of collaborative, intelligence-led crime prevention within the farm retail sector and to help shape the future development of the Farm Retail & Rural Intelligence Network (FRRIN)
02
Who funds Project Scarecrow?
Project Scarecrow is an initiative developed and delivered by Fortify Intelligence Ltd.
The pilot is funded through Fortify Intelligence and carefully selected strategic partnerships, allowing participating businesses to benefit from the service without any membership fees during the pilot period.
03
Who controls the information?
Fortify Intelligence Ltd operates and manages the Farm Retail & Rural Intelligence Network (FRRIN).
If selected as a Founding Member, your business will enter into an Information Sharing Agreement which explains how information is collected, analysed, protected and, where appropriate, shared to support crime prevention and investigations.
We are committed to ensuring all information is managed responsibly, securely and in accordance with UK data protection legislation.
04
Do I need any software?
No.
Project Scarecrow has been designed to be straightforward and accessible.
There is no specialist software to purchase or install, and participating businesses will receive guidance on how to report incidents and receive intelligence as part of the pilot.
05
How is the information shared?
Businesses report incidents directly to Fortify Intelligence.
Our intelligence team reviews each report, identifies linked offences, repeat offenders and emerging crime trends, before developing intelligence products that can be shared appropriately.
Where appropriate and lawful, intelligence may be shared with participating members, policing partners and other authorised organisations to help prevent crime and support investigations.
06
Can independent farm shops join?
Absolutely.
Independent farm shops are at the heart of Project Scarecrow, and we actively encourage applications from businesses of all sizes across the UK.
A diverse membership will help ensure the pilot reflects the challenges faced by the wider farm retail sector.
07
Can multi-site retailers join?
Yes.
Multi-site operators are encouraged to apply.
Businesses operating multiple locations can provide valuable insight into crime trends across different geographic areas and play an important role in helping strengthen the intelligence network.
08
Will police receive information?
Yes, where appropriate.
One of Project Scarecrow's objectives is to improve the quality of intelligence available to policing partners.
Where lawful and appropriate, Fortify Intelligence may develop intelligence packages and share relevant information with police to support investigations, identify repeat offenders and help disrupt criminal activity.
Project Scarecrow complements existing crime reporting processes—it does not replace them.
09
What happens after I apply?
Once your application has been received, we will review it alongside other expressions of interest.
As places are limited, we will select businesses to ensure a good geographical spread, a mix of business sizes and a representative cross-section of the farm retail sector.
If your business is selected, we will contact you to discuss the next steps, including the pilot programme, participation arrangements and the Information Sharing Agreement.
Businesses that are not selected for the initial pilot may be invited to join future phases as the network expands.
10
Why are only 50 businesses being selected?
We're intentionally keeping the pilot to 50 Founding Members so we can work closely with each participating business, refine the service and measure its impact.
Founding Members will play a key role in shaping how the Farm Retail & Rural Intelligence Network develops, helping create a model that can ultimately benefit the wider rural retail community.
11
Is my information secure?
Yes.
Protecting business information is fundamental to Project Scarecrow.
Fortify Intelligence applies appropriate technical and organisational measures to safeguard information and ensure it is handled responsibly.
Access to intelligence is restricted to authorised personnel, and all information sharing is governed by agreed procedures and applicable legislation.