Chamber Members “Arrested” by Superintendent Bailey
As the community prepares for another season of festivities, proprietors and store operators should “put themselves in the shoes of the baddy”, so says Superintendent Chas Bailey of Sutton Police Station as he addressed December VIP Breakfast held at Holiday Inn.
In his arresting presentation Superintendent Bailey mentioned that some businesses were displaying their wares to entice shoppers without taking into consideration that they were also attracting the criminal element.
The business community was advised to think carefully about security when choosing business premises, renovating or even when deciding where they place their products. Proprietors or store managers need to consider if the product is easy to shoplift if it is close to the door or window. High value and luxury products placed close to a window or door is ‘a dream come true’ for shoplifters, especially as the festive season intensifies and the town becomes more crowded. Even placing items on low shelves are putting customers at a disadvantage as when they bend down to inspect items on lower shelves; they are inadvertently exposing their handbags and pockets to the opportunistic thief.
In-store CCTV needs to be upgraded so that crooks can be recognised as this proves to be helpful in apprehension and prosecution. In addition, proprietors need to remember to change their tapes daily .He mentioned that from the 70 Local Authority cameras placed in the borough, there are 50 evidential packages produced per month. The CCTV’s act as a crime deterrent and puts Sutton in the league with Merton, Harrow and Richmond as one of the London Boroughs with the lowest crime rate.
Even companies with fleets of vehicles were given advice. Managers needed to be aware of where keys were stored. Keys can be fished through windows, letter boxes and under doors. Businesses needed to design out crime in their planning when renovating or expanding and the police may be consulted for these purposes.
Superintendent Bailey also explained that the force took a preventative method of deterring crime which included working with social services such as housing, probation and the primary care trust to assist a smoother transition of people leaving prison as a preventative measure, especially those who are known drug addicts.
The Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) received praise for their work. Their duty was to act as a friendly liaison between the police and the community. Their presence also acts as a deterrent to crime, giving residents and businesses alike a sense of security.
Superintendent Bailey went on to give those present an idea of what was involved in a day in his life at work. He further explained that of his 28 years in the force, one of his highlights was going to Bulgaria to help make policing there more customer-friendly.