Cops are 'doing shifts' in Asda and Sports Direct to get one over on shoplifters
manchestereveningnews.co.ukPolice officers in Stockport have been donning uniforms and 'doing shifts' as shopworkers in a bid to crack down on shoplifting in the town.
Shop theft is the fastest-growing crime in the country, and increased by 10 percent in Greater Manchester last year. Tackling the issue in and around the town centre, where particular problems have been reported, is a key priority for officers in Stockport.
And as part of their response to the issue, they have been 'blending in' as workers whilst patrolling some supermarkets and high street stores. READ MORE: How cops in Stockport are getting 'ahead of the game' as the town centre booms READ MORE: Today's M.E.N headlines Stores such as Sports Direct and Asda are just two examples of stores where they've used the tactic, and both have joined others in supporting the operation by buying extra uniforms for the officers to wear.
Local chiefs say they want to 'sow the seed' that shoplifters could be being watched in any store at any time. Sergeant James Senior, of GMP’s Stockport Central Neighbourhood, said: “The concept of police officers working in plain clothes is not a new one - what we are doing is thinking out of the box to try and tackle the fastest growth crime in the UK. “The retailers we work with love the idea and fully support what we are doing to tackle a crime that has a detrimental effect on their businesses. “We want to sow the seed that criminals might be going into shops in Stockport staffed by police officers and if caught will be arrested.” As well as going undercover, GMP have flooded the streets of the town centre and Edgeley with officers as part of Operation Rimini, GMP’s dedicated operation to tackle retail crime and anti-social behaviour.
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