IT IS all about prevention.

Steve Baker describes the thinking behind the latest initiative from Bradford’s crime-busting partnership City Centre Beat (CCB), to tackle shop theft.

“Two months ago CCB and local businesses made the decision to take a fresh approach to shoplifting, involving steps to deter criminals and prevent crimes taking place,” says the partnership co-manager.

Special Zero Crime Days introduced as a key part of the Prevent Shop Theft initiative, have brought dramatic results, with only one recorded shop theft day in the four days upon which it has run. This was accompanied by 44 dispersal orders, designed to reduce anti-social behaviour in defined areas.

“It is good to catch shoplifters and for years we have been detecting these offences,” adds Steve. “But there are issues surrounding this.”

These may include lost stock, staff costs and how apprehending criminals reflects upon the image of the shop. The health and safety aspect of staff who have to deal with such incidents is also an important consideration.

“Some stores have specialist staff but others have young people and others working in the stores who tackle such problems in-house, with a different approach,” says Steve. “Dealing with criminals can be very intimidating.”

In addition, the police has limited resources and can end up spending excessive amounts of time dealing with offenders.

The new initiative aims to prevent these crimes from occurring in the first place. “Preventing crimes reduces stock loss, ensures people visiting businesses feel safe, staff are not put in danger and businesses save money in time staff spend dealing with criminals,” adds Steve.

As part of the initiative, launched at Bradford’s Midland Hotel, CCB has provided high-visibility jackets upon which the words Prevent Shop Theft are printed, to be worn by retailers, front-of-house staff and security officers.

CCB joint-manager Steve Longbottom said: “A potential thief coming into the shop will see the jacket and think twice about going in. We have visited all members to give them support.”

All retailers involved are members of CCB. They are issued with portable radios to communicate with each other and to the police. They can pass on information on sightings of known offenders and alert them to potential difficulties. They share information at weekly briefings by CCB intelligence coordinator Mark Plovie, and through an intranet system. Posters are also issued.

“The retailers know who the criminals are and do their best to prevent them entering the premises,” says Steve Longbottom.

On Zero Crime Days, extra officers from across the district are drafted in to help prevent offending.

Dispersal Orders enable police and community support officers (PCSOs) to take action to disperse groups of two people or more if they believe their presence or behaviour has resulted in, or is likely to result in, any member of the community being harassed, intimidated, alarmed or distressed. Individuals may be excluded from the area for up to 48 hours.

Also new, and currently being processed, Criminal Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (Crasbos) – made on the back of a criminal conviction – give the police powers to restrict where offenders can go. If they breach the ban, a crime has been committed. “We are trying to encourage early intervention to prevent offending,” adds Steve Longbottom.

At this time of year, vigilance is vital, as shoplifters may see the increased number of shoppers as an opportunity to attempt to shoplift or steal someone’s purse.

The newly-formed Reach Out project, offering support and help to offenders through access to appropriate services and treatment, is also helping towards tackling retail-related offences. The CCB also operates student safe spots, such as at Bradford College.

Prevent Shop Theft will continue into 2015. “We have seen the success of it and believe that we should do this on a more regular basis as part of City Centre Beat,” says Steve Baker.

Inspector Andy Gallant, of Bradford City Neighbourhood Policing Team, is proud of what the partnership and its latest initiative, has achieved. “One offence over four days is a massive achievement for a city centre,” he says. “There is little doubt that preventing retail crime requires a collaborated approach which is hard work but rewarding.”