Retailers join together to tackle shoplifters

The stores based in the Roundhay, Alwoodley and Moortown areas will share information on known shoplifters, including pictures and patterns of offending, as part of a new crime reduction project.

Under the scheme information will also be given to retailers enabling them to recover any costs directly from shoplifters through the civil court system.

As the project develops, police are planning to incorporate a ring-around system so information can be quickly shared between those stores taking part should any known shoplifters be operating in the area.

Paul Fallon, manager of the Tesco’s supermarket on Roundhay Road and one of the retailers taking part in the project, said: “The retail crime reduction initiative increases our ability to prevent and detect shoplifting.”

Other stores taking part in the scheme include Sainsbury’s, Marks and Spencer and Waitrose.

Insp Andrew Briggs, who leads the Roundhay, Alwoodley and Moortown Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Retail crime is on the increase across the UK and should not be seen as a ‘victimless’ crime.

“Ultimately, the cost of these crimes has to be recovered by the retailer through higher prices from the customer.”

He said the drive to reduce retail crime was a way of working in partnership with local businesses to prevent and deal with those who commit a crime.