West Yorkshire Police in Dewsbury have launched a new operation to tackle retail crime in the town. Officers will link in with the new force-wide initiative, Operation Viper, set up to target and and lock up the county’s most prolific criminals. The Dewsbury Neighbourhood Policing Team is running a series of crime prevention events aimed at preventing retail theft, purse dipping and vehicle crime, particuarly on the run up to Christmas.
There will also be a leaflet dropping exercise and crime prevention advice given to retailers and shoppers.
Chief Superintendent Dave Oldroyd, who leads Operation Viper, said: “Shoplifting and retail crime is often perpetrated by organised crime gangs and our coordinated activity forms part of a range of tactics we are using to target these hardened criminals who seek to prey on the business community and the increasing amount of shoppers at this time of year. These tactics will be repeated in the coming days and weeks across the county without warning.”
And Insp Jenny Thompson of the Dewsbury Neighbourhood Policing Team added: “This is an important new initiative which will draw on both headquarters resources and local officers to really help make a difference. Retailers have told us they want to see action and action is what we are taking.
“Operation Viper looks to strike fear into the minds of criminals, they need to know that they have no where to hide. We do experience retail crime in the town, but I want to reassure residents and shopkeepers that this is not an issue we take lightly and we are doing all we can to tackle the issue.”
