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.
-
'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.
41 Comments
View all
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.”
by Joshua, Great coates
Friday, July 23 2010, 11:36AM
“If they steal from a private dwelling flogg em.
If the steal an apple from a business send em to Australia or execute em.
If they steal from the welfare state repatriate them.
If they fiddle their expenses at the cost of the tax payer, let em go free.
Now thats justice the NuLab way.”
by Joshua, Great coates
Friday, July 23 2010, 10:53AM
“It's absolutely no good catching more criminals if they are let off by a judicial system that favours the criminal and governed by the PC & HR of europe.
Corporal and Capital punishment requires to be re-instated.
Just look around and see how many assaults, murders and rapes are going on within 20 miles of where you now live!
And Capital & Corporal punishment is no deterent? Poppycock. If a murderer is executed they cannot ruin any more lives can they?”
by josephine white, Grimsby
Friday, July 23 2010, 8:34AM
“I don't know if it's already been mentioned, but the GT's choice of question for the 'vote' .. " Do you support police officers being freed up to tackle more serious crime?" is cynical beyond belief.
Its like asking (for example) ' Do you support Motherhood' when the issue being discussed is underage sex!!
Of *course* people are going to answer in the affirnative .. and of course people would like to see police solving serious crime - but that doesn't indicate in any way that they *also* agree with ignoring 'minor' crimes such as shop-lifting.
The result could be manipulated ..If a Yes' vote is returned, the Police will treat it (and probably quote it) as "overwhelming public support for this policy".
The GT should be more careful in it's choice of wording.”
by dave, hull
Friday, July 23 2010, 1:29AM
“this is supa-i can go inta any stor in hull and take stuf up to £20 and nuffink will be done.
if i don't have to pay fur food or drink that's more
mony to partyyy!! wiv
kewl police!i don't hav 2 feel gilty no more about nikkin stuf-i'l be let off, so i won't have dun anyfink rong.
gud of them 2 suport pepl like us at last-at last teling us we hav rites to take wot we can wivout getin in trubl”
by Steven Townsend, Hull
Friday, July 23 2010, 1:15AM
“This will certainly reduce the crime figures,but not the crime itself.Suppose during a month 30 people come in and each steal £15 worth of goods-that's £450 of stock lost.
Since shoplifting under £20 will no longer be regarded as a criminal offence,the number of crimes recorded will be 0-and according to Humberside Police,it will not be taking place.
If shopkeepers do report these thefts,since the police have explicitly stated 'do not contact us if it is less than £20.We will not take any action',how long before I and my fellow store owners receive a police caution for 'wasting police time'?
And if my security catches shoplifter and detains them, then all they have to do is show the goods they stole are less than £20-which is not regarded as a crime any more by Humberside Police-and since they did not commit a crime as such,they were unlawfully detained and can claim compensation?”