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Shoplifting DOWN across Eastbourne
The shoplifting action plan developed by the Eastbourne Crime Reduction Partnership (CRP) has seen a dramatic reduction in shoplifting offences across the town.
In 2009 the partnership developed an action plan to tackle the upward trend in theft from shops which was the only major crime type that was not reducing in Eastbourne. Sussex Police worked with Eastbourne Business Crime Group and the CRP to look at the causes of the increases and to develop a strategy to halt the rise.
Whilst other authorities across the country have had to deal with the increase in acquisitive crime attributed to the recession, Eastbourne has seen a reduction of over13% in shoplifting offences in the year April 2009 – March 2010 which means 136 fewer victims. There were 1012 offences recorded in the previous year and 876 in this.
Eastbourne district commander, Chief Inspector Jayne Dando said, ‘We recognised that shoplifting was on the increase and in partnership with the CRP and Business Crime Group we developed and implemented an action plan to identify the causes and how these could be addressed. We have dedicated town centre officers who have worked closely with businesses to reduce the opportunities for thefts to take place. I applaud local businesses in working closely with us to stop known thieves entering stores and calling us when they suspected offences were about to take place. In addition to prevention, we have arrested many more offenders and have a detection rate of over 81%.
We have shown that it is possible to buck the national trend and I am delighted to be able to reassure residents and visitors to Eastbourne that the chances of becoming a victim here are continuing to fall.’
Portfolio holder for community safety at Eastbourne borough council and Devonshire ward councillor Margaret Bannister said, ‘These reductions in shoplifting offences demonstrates what can be achieved by close partnership working and continues a trend of reductions in Devonshire ward where crime has fallen by 20% since 2008. It’s very good news for businesses and shoppers alike and will help make the town centre even safer.’
31 August 2010
16 August 2010