Cops train with Bakewell retailers

Officers from the Bakewell Safer Neighbourhood Team worked alongside BusinessWatch Manager, Andy Watterson from the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce to run the training for Bakewell retailers.

The training exercise involved a mock scenario being created to highlight how the ShopWatch effectively works. A description of an individual was sent out over the ShopWatch radio which then saw the retailers using the system to alert other stores, before guiding police to intercept the ‘would–be’ shoplifter.

The session was held to increase confidence and awareness of the ShopWatch scheme which directly links retailers via radios to each other and police to allow them to share information on suspicious behaviour or incidents of crime immediately.

Shops signing up to the scheme are also given posters and signs alerting customers that they are part of the ShopWatch initiative. Call 101 for more.