An online crime-fighting database could dramatically cut low-level offending such as shoplifting and thefts after being backed by police.
The system, first launched to combat bag thieves in a London wine bar, is now being offered free to businesses across Britain in a drive against petty crime.
The pioneering scheme allows crime victims to report their own thefts directly to police via the internet.
Victims of thefts in shops, businesses and bars can report crimes instantly online and file early witness statements while details are still fresh in their minds.
Images of the suspects can be flashed to surrounding stores or bars alerting others to the risk.
More than 400 retailers and businesses in central London including Starbucks and hotels have signed up to the so-called Facewatch project.
The scheme, first piloted in Westminster, led to a 73 per cent increase in police detection rates and saved two hours of officer time on every offence.
Now the idea's founders have become a not-for-profit company and have been backed by the Met and the Association of Chief Police Officers.
Simon Gordon, of Gordon's Wine Bar in Charing Cross, set up the system in his own bar in an effort to cut bag thefts and because he was frustrated at the lack of action by police.
In his bar the database is now linked to face recognition cameras which can alert staff within 30 seconds of a known bag thief entering the premises.
Other businesses are also looking at the possibility of adopting face recognition technology.
At least eight serial thieves have now been arrested as a result of the scheme and thefts at the wine bar and other premises have fallen significantly.
Mr Gordon said: "My aim is to reduce low-level crime rather than just fill up our prisons with offenders. To do this I believe we need to create a strong deterrent.
"I genuinely believe this system can reduce low-level crime such as shop lifting and bag thefts dramatically. It could prevent people getting involved on the lower ladder of crime in the first place."
The scheme also gives victims of crime an instant crime reference and free cancellation of their payment cards if they are stolen.
