In Wakefield, West Yorkshire Police crime prevention officers are working with retailers to help them better protect products and explore funding options for improving security. Police are looking to set up a key contacts network among retailers to help them share information with WYP on offenders.
Inspector Helen Brear of the Wakefield North West Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Shoplifting is far from a victimless crime and can cause real harm to smaller local businesses, sometimes even threatening their ability to keep trading. We are aware of an increase in shoplifting in Wakefield District over the past few months and will be working with partners in the sector to put shoplifters out of business.
“Clearly identifying those who are causing most harm will be the key so, while we obviously already monitor known offenders, and whom we have been serving city centre exclusion notices on. This is already having a positive impact. We will be working very closely with partners in the sector to identify suspects who may not be on our radar.
“What we want to do is help them talk better with us and each other to make sure thieves are well known and spotted early, and this is where WABAC [Wakefield Area Business Against Crime] is instrumental in helping us communicate and engage more efficiently and effectively.”
She said police would work with partner agencies to help rehabilitate offenders: “The causes behind shoplifting can be varied and complex, often revolving around drug and alcohol addiction. We will be looking to refer offenders to partners such as WABAC, Councils ASB team, and WDH, Early Help Intervention teams wherever possible to address the root causes of their behaviour and help find some long term solutions.”
Steve Hunt WABAC Business Crime Manager, said: “WABAC welcomes this initiative and have already received strong support from our Wakefield Neighbourhood Police Team in serving Exclusion Notices, making arrests and attending our regular Retail and Business Watch meetings. WABAC member businesses support the Exclusion Zone scheme that excludes prolific shoplifters and persons who are violent or anti-social. The key is engaging with retailers to share intelligence about criminals committing crime in our area through our Members DISC intranet.”
“I urge all businesses to support us by becoming WABAC members, joining the CCTV link radio scheme and advertising that the right security measures are in place by displaying our WABAC Member exclusion notice stickers at the entrance of their premises. We can “deter and detect” offenders by acting together to identify offenders and improving loss prevention techniques.”
