NEIGHBOURHOOD police officers in Leigh have teamed up with GMP’s crime prevention team to tackle shoplifters within the town centre and nearby retail park.

In response to reports of shoplifting within stores at Parsonage Retail Park, officers have implemented a detailed plan to tackle the problems that have arisen.

Criminal Behaviour Orders have been handed out to the most prolific offenders – a handful of which may have countless dozens of offences between them – which excludes them from certain areas of Leigh Town Centre, and can result in further punishment if breached.

READ > WWL Named Cleanest Acute Trust in the Country

Leigh Journal: Police say they have been stepping up patrols of affected areasPolice say they have been stepping up patrols of affected areas (Image: GMP)
To crack down on offending, police say they have increased patrols of the affected areas, extended a Public Space Protection Order to include these areas, and giving advice and support to businesses dealing with shoplifting.

Officers have also been engaging with homeless people to provide support and signposting to food banks and charity services.

PC Simon Winrow, from GMP’s Wigan district, said: “By working closely with stores, we are able to provide important information on reporting and dealing with crimes when they come in. We are committed to tackling shoplifting in the retail park and across Leigh, using various orders, tools and resources to do so.

“If you are a retailer in Leigh, please do get in touch, as we are determined to aid you where we can. You can do this by talking to an officer, or attending one of our local PACT meetings, which are advertised on our social media pages.”

Leigh Journal: Officers have been handing out advice and support to affected businessesOfficers have been handing out advice and support to affected businesses (Image: GMP)
Sue Andrew, from GMP’s Crime Prevention Team, added: “Prevention is a key part of tackling crime. By analysing the root causes of the problems, we can work with key stakeholders and members of the retail community to develop bespoke problem solving solutions.

"These could include improvements to CCTV and lighting, physical security measures, risk assessments and staff training. By implementing a range of risk commensurate measures we can remove the opportunities to offend, and increase the risk for offenders