Bid to beat shop crime (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Bid to beat shop crime

3:42pm Monday 18th August 2008

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LOCAL shops and businesses are being urged to band together to beat retail crime.

Business Against Crime in Hambleton, known as Bach, has replaced the old Shopwatch scheme and has appointed a co-ordinator to get the ball rolling.

David Tucker is working with retailers to prevent all types of shop crime. And as a solicitor who retired from the Crown Prosecution Service in June - where he covered Northallerton Magistrates Court and the youth court - he has plenty of experience under his belt.

Bach members are connected to each other and the police by radios so they can be alerted instantly of any potential trouble.

They can share information to identify persistent offenders not just with each other but with neighbouring scheme members.

"So far we have 70 members in Northallerton but I am looking to bring many more on board," said Mr Tucker.

"I have three main aims: deterrence, detection and protection - persuading those inclined to crime not to try it; using the wide range of armoury at our disposal to catch offenders; and helping shop owners and staff to stop abuse and violence.

"In this way we can prevent and reduce shop crime of all types - good news for customer and shops."

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