Criminal behaviour orders (CBOs) are being used by Essex Police to restrict the activities of repeat offenders in Chelmsford, including those involved in shop theft, as officers seek to tackle retail crime and anti-social behaviour in the city centre.
The force has 20 CBOs in force in Chelmsford, where officers are using a combination of enforcement and intervention to challenge harmful behaviour.
Sergeant Graham Thomas, of Chelmsford Neighborhood Policing Team, said officers first try to engage with offenders before considering stringent measures.
“We have found CBOs to be an effective tool in supporting individuals by providing clear boundaries and helping them move away from criminal and anti-social activities,” he said,
Conditions include bans from specified retail premises, restrictions on street drinking and requirements to engage with support services. Breaching an order can lead to arrest and further court action.
“Some people move away from the area because they know we are watching out for them when they come into the city centre and so they don’t bother. For those who ignore it and continue offending, a CBO gives us a means to arrest them and put them before the courts for further action to be taken. This can involve a fine, a jail term or both," Thomas said.
Several other initiatives by various forces are also helping retailers to tackle shop theft. Northamptonshire Police reported a fall in shoplifting in areas receiving additional hotspot patrols, while Hertfordshire Constabulary has used a crime intelligence platform to help retailers share evidence and link incidents across multiple stores.