We know this is a time when shop thefts can increase, but our dedicated officers are working alongside partners and businesses to combat crime and keep you safe.
We'll have regular high visibility patrols in our towns and cities over the festive season so we can continue to reduce such crimes.
In Walsall our business crime co-ordinator, PC Courtney Tongue, is working with neighbourhood teams to ensure thefts continue to fall.
She was handed the newly formed position in the summer and in a four month period, from 26 August until 17 December, there was a 30.5 % reduction in shop thefts compared to the same time the previous year.
This is due to the targeting of repeat shop theft offenders, arresting and charging them and bringing them before the courts to receive jail time.
PC Tongue also identifies high-risk locations and vulnerable individuals and works closely with Integrated Offender Management to reduce reoffending and disrupt high-harm offenders.
PC Tongue has developed a close working relationship with the business community linking up with some of the major business outlets such as Tesco, Morrison’s and Greggs as well as continuing to work closely with other shops and businesses which fall prey to shop criminals.
In her role she works closely alongside partners, including Walsall Council and whg, and she coordinates a monthly meeting involving ourselves, partners and businesses.
She also uses powers including civil interventions, criminal and closure orders to disrupt criminality and has successfully applied to the courts for Criminal Behaviour Orders to be applied on problem individuals.
PC Tongue said: “Christmas is always a busy time for our teams and a time when shop thefts can increase, but we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure Walsall is safe for everyone.
“As business crime co-ordinator I work closely with our own neighbourhood teams who will be out in the town on high visibility patrols making sure shoppers and businesses feel safe.
“We work closely with our partners and businesses who are now linked up together so intelligence can be shared on those committing shop thefts.
“We advise shops on crime prevention and how best to prevent shop thefts. We have targeted some of the most prolific shop theft offenders which has resulted in arrests, charges and prison time and will continue to do so to ensure Walsall is a safe and welcoming place for everyone.”
This work is part of the national Winter of Action initiative where we are working with partners in town centres across the region tackling crime, reassuring communities, and ensuring our high streets are welcoming and safe for everyone #SaferStreetsWinter
Combatting shop thefts is a priority at Walsall LPA and we launched Op Marigold in a bid to tackle shop thefts across the Walsall borough.
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