Neighbourhood Policing Teams across Cumbria took part in Safer Business Action Week last week (14-19 October) which saw officers and PCSOs working with local retailers to promote crime prevention initiatives, conduct high-visibility patrols and target known offenders.
In Carlisle, one man was arrested who was on a warrant for failing to appear at court charged with a shoplifting offence and breach of a criminal behaviour order (CBO).
On 17 October, a day of action was held in Carlisle city centre with the Carlisle Safe Business Partnership to target known offenders. Officers visited a number of retail parks and businesses across the city over the course of the week to provide support and guidance around retail crime.
In Penrith, high visibility patrols were conducted in hotspot areas throughout the week and local businesses were visited and given crime prevention advice as well as a ‘safer business’ questionnaire. The data from this will be collated and acted upon where appropriate, police said.
Besides, the Shopwatch Scheme across Eden was relaunched with some local businesses signing up to the scheme, and one person was also arrested on suspicion of shoplifting.
On 20 October, a man in his 40s was arrested following an incident at one of the town centre businesses. He was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence, common assault and possession of an offensive weapon. He has been released on bail pending further enquiries.
In Kendal, one person was arrested on 17 October on suspicion of theft, with officers attending the scene while the 999 call was still in progress. Due to first time offending, this was dealt with via an out of court disposal.
Illegal vapes seized in Kendall as part of Safer Business Action Week (Photo: Cumbria Constabulary)
On the same day, officers carried out some joint visits with Trading Standards in Kendal and Bowness, and seized around 1200 illegal vapes from a store in Kendal.
In Workington, an engagement event was held in the town centre on Wednesday (16 October). Neighbourhood officers engaged with lots of local businesses and gave out some crime prevention advice.
One man was also arrested for breach of CBO. He was charged and remanded to court, where he received a community order plus an electronic tag.
On 17 October, another engagement event was held in Keswick. Multiple shops were visited, and staff engaged with officers with two stores signing up to the Schemelink initiative.
The NPT carried out high visibility patrols in Whitehaven, Egremont and Millom town centres during the week, focusing on engagement with shop workers, promoting the Shop Watch scheme.
A man in his 40s was also arrested on suspicion of two commercial burglaries and two shoplifting offences. He was released on bail pending further enquiries.
Day of action held in Carlisle city centre as part of Safer Business Action Week (Photo: Cumbria Constabulary)
T/Superintendent Lee Skelton, who led the week of action said: “Over the past week our local NPTs have been visiting local retailers to better understand the issues they are facing on a daily basis.
“This partnership between police, partners and local businesses is crucial to implement crime prevention initiatives and help target offenders
“Although we have highlighted this work as part of the week of action, our officers work hard all year round to improve the support we give our local businesses and work with them to tackle crimes like shoplifting and abuse directed towards staff.
“So far, in October we have a positive outcome rate of 68.8 per cent for shoplifting offences across the county, but we are not complacent.
“Retail crime is far from being a victimless crime and there is often a misconception that these lower-level offences are less important than other crimes. However, we know the profound impact these crimes can have on our high streets, as well as the victims involved, and Cumbria Police take these crimes extremely seriously.
"We will continue to take an active approach to pursuing offenders who profit from causing misery to our local communities and retailers and put them before the courts to face justice.”
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “I looked at retail crime prior to my election and nationally what I saw was shocking - retail crime is on the rise nationally, albeit more slowly and to a lesser extent in Cumbria.
“It is vital that we work together to tackle and prevent theft from shops and other retail premises and abuse towards shop workers altogether.
“Theft is not a victimless crime and can cause businesses to close – both major chains and independent stores. We have to do what we can help stop that from happening.
“Additionally, everyone has the right to go to work and do their job without living in fear of being abused or assaulted – it is absolutely appalling that this is not the case currently and we need to be better at protecting our retail staff both in Cumbria and nationally.
“To anyone considering shoplifting or abusing staff who work in the retail sector/shops, I want to be clear – in Cumbria you will be caught and you will face the consequences. I would also encourage shopworkers to continue to report any theft, abuse or harassment to the Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.”
Mollie King at Lark 
