Stourport retailers supported by new police messaging service
It will help retailers report incidents of shoplifting and fraud
Last updated 7th Jun 2021
Stourport retailers will be supported from shoplifters after a new police messaging service has launched.
‘ShopCop’ will link local shop owners and staff with local police teams using WhatsApp.
This will allow them to pass along information and intelligence relating to shoplifters and those committing fraud in shops.
21 retailers have signed up to the scheme to tackle theft and shoplifting in the town which has risen drastically during the pandemic.
PSCO Andy Stevens, who's the brainchild behind the scheme, said: “SNT officers will visit retailers on the scheme every week to offer assurance and discuss any new offences.
“Shoplifting may seem a low priority to some people, however, much like those other offences, it is intrinsically linked to more serious and dangerous crime such as selling and buying drugs, burglary and assault.
"Another great thing about this is that if an offender is banned from one shop on the scheme then they're banned from all other 20 retailers who've signed up to the service as well to prevent them from committing further offences."
The scheme will provide a direct line of communication between retailers to officers who know the area well and can challenge potential offenders.
It's hoped to help police be made aware of these sorts of crime more quickly and to identify those responsible so action can be taken.
Building suppliers Thompson & Parkes have seen a rise in the number of thefts from their Stourport branch over the past 14 months.
Offenders steal anything from power tools to paintbrushes and because the store has been busy during lockdown have not been able to catch thieves as quickly as they'd want.
Nikki Shipton, manager of Thompson & Parkes, said: "Before you were never able to contact the shops and talk about something that had happened in your store.
"Now we can all get together and hopefully it will eliminate further incidents from happening.
"You'll be aware if something happens and can share that information easily so can let other shops to know to keep an eye out."