Police and partners team up to tackle shoplifting in Tunbridge Wells

Training sessions were held to share knowledge and help reduce crime

Town centre retailers, in-store security teams, Tunbridge Wells Safe Town Partnership and police officers came together last week in an effort to target shoplifters in the lead up to Christmas.

Training sessions

Officers from the Tunbridge Wells neighbourhood policing team facilitated a number of training sessions at the Royal Victoria Place in Tunbridge Wells to help retailers spot tell-tale signs of potential shoplifters. The session was designed to reduce theft in the town centre as it enters its busy Christmas shopping period and to share knowledge of the latest techniques that shoplifters use.

Counterfeit currency

Retailers were given examples of equipment that shoplifters use to try and de-tag items, or equipment used to try and evade in-store security alarms.

Attendees were also given advice on how to identify counterfeit currency and fraudulent credit cards.

Similar sessions are being held this week for rural retailers in the Paddock Wood area.

'Improve knowledge'

Inspector Simon Wilshaw explained: 'Via the Safe Town Partnership, excellent working relationships have been formed between police and retailers, and this training was designed to improve knowledge and subsequently further reduce theft in the town centre. Shops and pubs are connected to the local CCTV centre and police via a radio network which allows us to circulate information quickly and keep Tunbridge Wells a safe place to live in and to visit. Due to popular demand we will be running further sessions for retailers in Tunbridge Wells and also our rural retailers.'

Posted on: 27 November 2012