Co-op has urged communities across Gwent to write to candidates in the area to crack down on criminals committing retail crimes ahead of this week’s PCC elections.
Paul Gerrard, the Co-op’s campaign and public affairs director, said: “Retail crime takes a physical and mental toll on traders, with many communities devastated by unacceptable levels of persistent and prolific crime. . »
Antisocial behavior and crime in retail (Image: Cooperative)
He added that the newly elected PCCs can “crack down on this crime through the implementation of the Retail Crime Action Plan and by enforcing the new standalone offense of assaulting a shop worker”.
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Mr Gerrard said: “We are calling on the next PCCs to provide the protection those who work in retail and serve communities in towns, villages and cities across the region deserve. »
The CCP elections will take place on Thursday, May 2.
Paul Gerrard, Co-op Campaign and Public Affairs Director (Image: Cooperative)
In Gwent, these candidates are:
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Jane Mudd, Labour, current leader of Newport Council,
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Donna Cushing, Plaid Cymru,
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Mike Hamilton, Welsh Liberal Democrat,
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Hannah Jarvis, curator.
The cooperative asks residents to ask these four candidates to commit to respecting these two commitments:
- Fully implement the commitments of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Retail Crime Action Plan.
- Ensure the new standalone offense of assaulting a shop worker is enforced and progress is reported as part of their policing and crime plan.
Co-op body camera set up to deter retail crime (Image: Cooperative)
Co-op said it has invested “over £200 million over the last few years in the safety and security of colleagues and stores, this includes the latest interactive CCTV; body-worn cameras – which Co-op has used since 2019 to capture real-time audio and visual images at the touch of a button; the deployment of fortified kiosks; the use of fake (or empty) packaging to deter mass theft and covert (undercover) and non-covert surveillance – with the tactical use of specially trained guards. to stop criminals. »
The Co-op says residents can write to police and crime commissioner candidates via this link.
