Retail patrols for Safer Business Day of Action

Pic: PCSO Steve Widdowfield in One Stop, Hartlepool

Officers were out across the force yesterday, Wednesday 13 March, liaising with shoppers and engaging with retailers as part of Safer Business Day of Action.

Officers from Stockton were out on foot patrols in shopping precincts across the area, along with a focus on Stockton High Street for market day and Portrack Lane.

PC Chris Swales, Middlesbrough’s officer dedicated to the town centre, was out on his usual patrols, engaging with shop workers, providing advice and listening to concerns from shoppers.

Pic: PC Chris Swales in Middlesbrough town centre patrols.

Greater Eston Neighbourhoods conducted patrols in plain clothes at Cleveland Retail Park as part of the day of action, leading to the arrest of a 42-year-old man on suspicion of theft of £500 worth of tools in Halfords. When officers searched his car, more stolen goods were found and a subsequent search of his home led to further suspected stolen property, still in packaging, being seized.

Over in Hartlepool, PCSO Paul Davonport spent some time with staff at Spar on Wynyard Road, engaging with staff and customers, whilst PCSO Steve Widdowfield held a pop-up shop at One Stop on Wynyard Road.

A 31-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man were also arrested on suspicion of thefts as two of the top five most wanted shoplifters this week.

Pic: PCSO Paul Davenport in Spar, on Wynyard Road, Hartepool.

Chief Inspector Pete Littlewood, force lead on Retail Crime said: “Yesterday’s action was just a snapshot of the work we carry out on a daily basis to crack down on shop theft, and the threat of violence to shop workers.

“The force is proactive in its approach to preventing, reducing and catching those who regularly steal from shops. Neighbourhood teams work closely with retailers, encouraging them to report crime when it happens, offering crime prevention advice, and ensuring that we have a clear picture of what is happening through the offer of retail crime forums.

"Efforts are also made to arrest the top five shoplifters each week, and officers regularly carry out problem solving work to prevent reoffending by making applications for Criminal Behaviour Orders.

“Neighbourhood officers spend a great deal of time going out to arrest those responsible and applying for criminal behaviour orders to prohibit those convicted of shoplifting offences from entering certain shops or shopping areas. If these orders are broken, we can make an arrest for breach of the order.”