A scheme that aims to cut retail crime in Sunderland has been recognised for its work. On Wednesday, November 2, Sunderland Shopwatch was honoured for its performance by the Association of Shopwatch Partnerships and Retailers Against Crime North East….
The scheme also won the award for best shopwatch contribution in the Northumbria area.
The Association of Shopwatch Partnerships and Retailers Against Crime North East are made up of retailers in the north east, from Northumberland to York. The awards attract nominations from all three of the region’s police forces.
PCs Steve Stringer and Gill Calvert received the award on behalf of the Sunderland scheme in recognition by its members of their work.
Sunderland Central Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector, Neal Craig, said: “This is the second year running Sunderland Shopwatch has won an award and it’s a credit to everyone involved that their work is being recognised. This is a great example of how effective working in partnership with other agencies and organisations is in making the city even safer and we will continue to offer the scheme our full support.”
"It is a great credit to everyone involved in the scheme that they have been recognised for the hard work and commitment they put in to make it a success and the important role working together plays in helping reduce crime and disorder and we will continue to offer it our full support."
Shopwatch began in the city in 1996 and aims to see retailers and police work together to reduce crime in shops; so far around 82 shops in the city centre are part of the scheme.
Earlier this year, two prolific shoplifters were given exclusion orders by Newcastle Crown Court banning them from stores in the scheme. The order is thought to be the first in Wearside. The scheme covers the city centre, however, there are plans to extend it to cover Pallion Retail Park.
Insp Craig added: “We’d urge as many stores as possible to get involved in the scheme.”
Meanwhile the South Liverpool Licensee Watch has been running for 12 months and the success of the group encouraged the launch of a new Shop Watch scheme, which has grown to 33 active members.
The shop premises each have a direct radio link to the cops at Allerton Police Station who are alerted by the stores if suspicious characters enter. The group share photographs of offenders to prevent crime in the area and these offenders if seen are reported to the police over the radio.
Michelle Byrne 34, from Keswick Close in Widnes was arrested on Friday, October 7, at Tesco Mather Avenue where she attempted to steal a 19-inch television and the female was found guilty at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Monday, October 10, 2011 for theft shop. The offender has now been banned from entering the store and members of the group have been notified under a data sharing agreement to prevent crime in the area. The agreement allows the members to share images of offenders and allows members the option of banning the offenders from their own stores under the banning scheme.
Neighbourhood Inspector Andy Wignall said: “We have a very simple system each store each have a radio and they communicate not only with the cops but with each other to inform neighbouring stores if suspicious characters are about to enter their stores. The members are very good on the radios and its already proving to be a very effective tool to prevent crime before it actually happens and we have had some fantastic arrests. Travelling or opportunist criminals need to think twice before they come into our area to commit crime. We are committed to tackling and reducing crime and this partnership has made a big difference for the local businesses and wider community.”
Shop Watch Chairman Rob Wells said: “The introduction of the banning orders are seen by the membership as a good way to help reduce crime in the area.”
