Blackwood sees a 40% reduction in shoplifting over the festive period Blackwood Town Centre saw a 40% reduction in incidents of shoplifting over the Christmas period of November and December 2013, recent figures show, with 22 incidents reported, compared with 31 incidents during the same period in 2012. The reduction is considered to be the result of a huge crackdown in the town centre that saw Gwent Police, together with the Blackwood Retail Partnership and Caerphilly County Borough Council’s team of CCTV operators working on a joint operation to tackle this type of crime. Over four weeks of the operation, a total of 140 £30 Fixed Penalty Notices were also issued to motorists for parking their vehicles illegally in the town centre. As part of the operation, officers conducted patrols in uniform as well as plain clothes to deter shoplifting; they also worked closely with local security staff, store detectives in and around Blackwood, and Caerphilly County Borough Council’s team of CCTV operators. There are also over 25 businesses now working as part of the Blackwood Retail Partnership, which contributed to the reduction in crime by improving the information shared between local shops, businesses, the police and the council. Blackwood Inspector, Mark Smith said: “For the third consecutive year, Blackwood Town Centre has benefited from a reduction in shoplifting offences which is as a direct result of our effective partnership working. Retailers should feel re-assured by this 40% reduction in this crime type. It is unfortunate that we have also had to deal with 140 motorists who felt the need to park their vehicle irresponsibly in the town centre. Their actions either caused traffic flow issues or reduced the availability of a disabled parking spaces for blue badge holders. Rest assured, my Neighbourhood Policing Team will continue to work closely with our partners to re-assure the public and retailers, that Blackwood town centre is not the place to come to commit crime or park illegally.” Cllr David Poole, Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Services said: “We continue to work alongside our various partners to help ensure that our town centres remain very safe and attractive places to visit. Utilising our CCTV service is an extremely effective tool in helping to tackle and prevent crime and anti-social behaviour in our area, and by working together with colleagues at Gwent Police and with the Blackwood Retail Partnership in this instance, we are sending out a clear message to anyone who feels it is acceptable to shoplift that they will not get away with it.” For further information on the use of CCTV in Caerphilly county borough, please visit your.caerphilly.gov.uk/saferccb
Posted on: Wed, 22 Jan 2014 16:06:31 +0000
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