VOTE: Police reassure traders after '£20 thefts' pilot scheme is branded 'ludicrous'
SHOPKEEPERS in North East Lincolnshire say they fear for their livelihoods as they branded a new police scheme to tackle thieves as "ludicrous".
But Humberside Police have moved to reassure traders that the trial to tackle thefts across the Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Immingham area will see positive results – and cut down on shop thefts.
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'LUDICROUS': Immingham shopkeeper Makhan Singh Sidhu and his son Sonu are not happy about the new police pilot scheme to tackle shoplifting. Picture: Ray Corke
They have pledged to help traders prevent shoplifters from targeting their premises – before they strike.
Police launched the pilot scheme with businesses across the borough this week – from corner shops to department stores – encouraging shop workers to note down thefts of items under the value of £20 in a log book, rather than dialling 999.
This will then be studied by PCSOs who will visit the premises every two weeks to review the log and come up with ways of tackling any patterns of anti-social behaviour and theft.
Although some shopkeepers have criticised the new scheme, it has been welcomed by business leaders, and police chiefs remain hopeful that the revolutionary tactic will eventually drive down the number of thefts from shops – and be rolled out forcewide.
Makhan Singh Sidhu, owner of Sidhu Bros, in Immingham, said: "We live in a society where there appears to be no real deterrent against thieves, and this is yet another example of this. I lose on average about £75 a week in stolen magazines, beer and chocolate bars.
"It is slowly bringing down my business and it does take its toll on our livelihood."
And Anthony Bush, owner of the Killingholme Store, said: "It is absolutely ludicrous. This is people's livelihood we are talking about. I don't care what they are suggesting, if I notice shoplifting I will call the police."
Store managers and employees at the majority of the region's 500 supermarkets, convenience stores and other businesses have now been fully briefed on the changes in police policy by PCSOs.
Inspector Will Jenkins, who is leading the initiative, said: "If we highlight particular problems we can look and work with retailers to offer advice about what can be done to reduce it.
"It could be more CCTV, a change in shop layout, or the introduction of a security guard.
"Currently it can be quite time-consuming when you ring the police with an incident, and the investigation for some of the crimes can take time.
"The idea with this scheme is it focuses on low-level anti-social behaviour and shop theft under £20. I have full confidence it will help reduce shop thefts."
He added that the move did not mean those stealing items worth less than £20 would be "let off", urging shopkeepers catching thieves red-handed or having problems with prolific thieves to call the police as normal.
He said: "It is not about not reporting it, but just a different way of doing it.
"If someone is detained we still expect them to call in and if there is a person repeatedly causing problems, then that is a person we are very interested in."
However, some family-run businessmen have told the Grimsby Telegraph they already lose an average of £200 in stock to thieves a week – and that this will only make the problem worse.
Read more comments from shopkeepers – and how a leading councillor and business leaders are urging traders to get onboard – in today's Grimsby Telegraph.
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by Alan, formerly Gy
Friday, August 20 2010, 1:10AM
“Prices will go up all right..
... nothing will cost less than £20, not even the GT
(not in my shop, any road)”
by A. Grimlander, Elder, GRIMLAND for the less alacritous!
Saturday, July 24 2010, 11:57AM
“Every one a winner, Jo!
But with so many to record, you missed the zero tolerance of footpath- and pedestrian-way/'precinct' cycling... and they're still getting away with it!”
by josephine white, Grimsby
Saturday, July 24 2010, 7:47AM
“Whatever happened to Humberside Police's much vaunted 'Zero tolerance' policy??
The term is usually mentioned in almost every press release, eg ..
"The Humberside Police warn motorists that they have a zero tolerance policy on illegal parking" ..
"The Humberside Police warn the public that they have a zero tolerance policy on littering" ..
"The Humberside Police stress that they have a zero tolerance policy on anti-social behaviour" ..
"The Humberside Police have a zero-tolerance policy on drink driving" ..
"The Humberside Police warn fans that they have a zero tolerance policy on football hooliganism" etc etc bla bla bla.
Just who is kidding who here?”
by HT, At my Computer Desk
Friday, July 23 2010, 12:27PM
“I agree with Joshua from Great Coates. Crminals should be made to pay for what they've done with harsh punishments that fit the crime, not ending up with a slap on the wrist. We live in country where the system jumps through hoops for criminals and their 'human rights' and victims are the ones who end up being punished. Crime should be nipped in the bud at the very bottom starting with petty theft and anti social behaviour, not swept under the carpet so that the criminals can reoffend time after time after time and get away with it. How many times do we hear about scumbags for whom court is their second home, they are already well known to the police and have x-amount of previous convictions? Frequently. I really do feel for shopkeepers. In these hard times it is already difficult enough for them to make ends meet without losing £20 here and £20 there. It may not sound like much but it soon adds up and for arguments sake 5 shoplifters a day could result in a loss of approx £100 which is £3000 (ish) a month. How many small shopkeepers can cope with that? And here's the punchline - these shoplifters will never ever be caught! (unless they kindly leave their names, addresses and telephone numbers). It will result in prices going up and as usual it will be the law abiding citizens who end up paying for the activities of the criminals.”
by A. Grimlander, GRIMLAND of hope
Friday, July 23 2010, 11:52AM
“Well done Josephine! (The GT should be more careful in it's choice of wording -- josephine white, Grimsby -- commented on 23-Jul-2010 08:34)
It is a specious poll, as you so well have shown. I did actually vote against, with some misgiving for exactly the reason you've exposed. I note that it's very close at Yes:51/No:49. Maybe now you've explained it, we'll get a different balance.
Joshua, Great coates -- commented on 23-Jul-2010 10:53.
Yes. Having spent nearly a month as a juror in a tabloid-hitting murder trial 'down south' I confirmed that the jury system was working. The accused, tho' guilty, was eventually sentenced substantially, for manslaughter, on a majority verdict. Now, some 35 years later, I'm not convinced that justice will be done. Unfortunately, capital sentences can't be undone if they are subsequently found to be wrong.
I believe that a meaningful and constructive life sentence would be a better thing than 'the chop'. We should always be in a position to correct our errors.”