On Tyneside, Team Valley retailers, business people and shoppers are to see a police operation in the run up to Christmas. Thanks to the efforts on PCs Katie Carrick and Sean Cunningham, last week saw the launch of an operation called LA to tackle shoplifters, car thieves and anyone else intent on committing offences in the area.
The two officers have been working with retailers to promote the seasonal crime prevention message to retailers and their staff, complete crime prevention training sessions to highlight radio procedures and shoplifting techniques.
Officers are to cover the retail areas of the Team Valley through a high-profile and undercover police presence. Uniformed officers on foot patrol will be in and around the trading estate’s stores, and monitoring car parks to prevent car crimes, while plain clothes officers will also be out and about mingling with seasonal shoppers. There’ll be police dog handlers patrolling. Shoppers will be offered crime prevention advice from officers handing out leaflets, marker pens and purse bells.
Acting Neighbourhood Inspector, Darren Adams, said: "This is an operation which will see us working in partnership with retailers and Valley Watch CCTV Monitoring to tackle shoplifting and thefts from vehicles on the trading estate. Our message to thieves is clear – we’re watching you! We will not tolerate shoplifting and car crime in Gateshead.
"The launch of our campaign will hopefully raise more awareness among retailers and shoppers of the steps they should take to avoid becoming a victim of crime at this busy time of year. It also shows them that we are actively out and about ensuring the retail areas of the trading estate are safe places to be this Christmas."
Gareth Roach, Sainsbury’s Store manager at Team Valley added: "I am happy Operation LA is running as it will provide the team valley with a safer environment for people to shop. It sends out a message to criminals that all retailers on the Team Valley are working in partnership with the police to prevent criminal activity."
Operation LA forms a part of Northumbria Police’s Winter Crime campaign, ‘Don’t let thieves steal your Christmas.’
