EDITOR’S CHOICE
The new approach also aims to tackle the root cause of offending…
Police have been trialling new ways to tackle shoplifting in Exeter, the BBC has reported.
Devon and Cornwall Police have been working in the city council’s CCTV control centre with a coordinator from the Exeter Businesses Against Crime group to coordinate their response to offenders who target stores on the high street.
The force has plain clothes officers patrolling the streets who are in regular communication with the team in the centre to provide a safer shopping experience in the city.
Sgt Andy Walton said by having officers in both locations they were “best placed to react to any reports of shoplifting”. Businesses can also radio directly into the control room to report a crime.
The force first introduced plain clothes officers in July 2024 and said the operation had resulted in 11 arrests.
However, Nathan Johnson, the policing inspector for Exeter city centre, added it was not about just arresting the perpetrators.
“We are looking to get behaviour orders against them that have some positive action around alcohol or drug rehabilitation. If we can address the root cause then we can ultimately lower shoplifting.”