Retailers Against Crime North East and Northumbri Police officers are joining forces to tackle shoplifters in Morpeth town centre.
The initiative runs alongside the town’s Shopwatch scheme and allows the policing team and local businesses to share information about shoplifters and thieves to stop crimes from happening.<br><br>Over 30 businesses in the town centre have already signed up to Shopwatch and several receive regular updates from Retailers Against Crime North East as well as sharing information about crime and suspicious activity with local officers and each other.<br><br>Sanderson Arcade shopping centre has taken to the scheme since it was opened in November 2009. The arcade has 27 retail stores and the Shopwatch radio provides staff with a communication link to other retailers and neighbourhood officers.<br><br>Sarah Dougherty, Regional Operations Manager for Retailers Against Crime North East, said: โWe have recently delivered two training sessions to retailers in Morpeth town centre in association with Sanderson Arcade. Those who attended are now significantly more aware of the different techniques and types of offenders who pose a threat. I have no doubt that Morpeth is now a hard target for criminals involved in retail crimeโ<br><br>Debbie Anderson, manager of Sanderson Arcade, said: โI am delighted with the way the Shopwatch scheme is working and the support we receive from the Community Support Officers in Morpeth. The Retailers Against Crime training was a great opportunity to network with other users of Shopwatch."<br><br>And Acting Sergeant Andrea Teasdale from the Morpeth Neighbourhood Policing Team said: โRetailers involved with Shopwatch have been sharing excellent information about suspicious activity. We hope they will continue to use their radios as it helps us to maintain low crime levels and to keep Morpeth a safe town for both residents and visitors."
Meanwhile police in Newcastle city centre are stepping up patrols in an effort to stop youngsters shoplifting during their summer holidays.
In the first two weeks of Operation Beret – aimed at cracking down on city shoplifters – the team have stopped and spoken to people, either known thieves or suspects – 500 times.
During that time they’ve also made 70 arrests for shoplifting and associated offences such as breaching bail conditions or Direction to Leave orders.
Now, as the school holidays have started, officers in the city centre will be stepping up their efforts to deter youngsters from stealing as part of the operation.
Around a quarter of all shoplifting offences are carried out by juvenile first or second time offenders. The youngsters, usually in their early to mid teens, are initially given reprimands or warnings but if caught repeatedly could end up in court. The youngsters are often arrested for stealing low cost items such as cosmetics, dvds and cds, as well as games, perfume and clothes.
The operation – which runs until September – also targets the city’s most prolific shoplifters, and includes officers working with store security to take action against those caught stealing.
City Centre Neighbourhood Sergeant Darren Graham, who has responsibility for retail crime, said: "There has been a lot of education in schools with young people to explain the consequences of stealing and the fact they could end up with a criminal record.
"I don’t think they recognise how serious stealing from shops is and they could be doing it as a result of peer pressure or a dare. Although it may seem harmless to them, it’s a serious offence which could ultimately ruin their summer holidays."
The operation is also aimed at preventing and detecting shoplifting offences across the city centre. Sgt Graham added: "Anyone caught stealing could end up charged and before the courts and with bail conditions preventing them from going into the city centre. Our aim is to keep thieves out of the city centre to keep is a safe place for people to come and enjoy at all times of day.
"The shops have CCTV cameras and many have security guards so there’s a high probability thieves will be caught. I’d urge people not to do it because it has an impact on business in the city, the community and themselves. It’s just not worth the risk."
