Busy and successful “days of action” target business crime in York and North Yorkshire

Operations involving high-visibility and plain-clothes police patrols sent a strong message to shoplifters that their activities won’t be tolerated in our area.

Safer Business Action (SaBA) Days were held in Northallerton, Scarborough and York last week – aimed at protecting shops, restaurants and other businesses from crime.

The days were part of a country-wide campaign, run with the support of the National Business Crime Centre.

Police in York engaged in high-visibility patrols, speaking in particular to store staff and listening to their views on working in the city.

The Neighbourhood Policing Team, including officers, PCSOs and Special Constables, dealt with several confrontational individuals, and four dispersal orders were issued, requiring them to leave the city centre, to curb anti-social behaviour and theft. One of them later breached the order and was arrested.

The team also dealt with incidents of shop theft, recovering a quantity of suspected stolen alcohol and beauty products, and returning them. One person was stopped and searched in connection with the theft, and enquiries are ongoing. The operation also led to the identification of a man wanted in connection with a shop theft earlier in the month.

The team also focussed on proactively engaging with people who were causing or likely to cause issues for businesses and their staff in the evening. As a result a number of individuals left the city centre.

PC Jonathan Lewis said: “The tone of the operation was firm but fair, to send a message that we will not tolerate any behaviour that makes our retail community feel unsafe at work. I can say from being there and speaking to all involved in this issue, that the message was definitely delivered.”

In Scarborough, officers and PCSOs worked alongside Special Constables, police volunteers and local authority staff.

They visited more than 50 businesses to talk about crime prevention, and the importance of reporting anti-social behaviour. Meanwhile, more than 50 members of the public stopped by the Mobile Police Station in the town centre to find out about the operation.

A mix of high-visibility and plain-clothes police patrols saw known individuals spoken to by officers. At least two thefts were deterred, and a number of people chose to leave the town centre as a result.

In Northallerton, there was an event in the town hall to discuss retail crime and answer any questions. In addition, businesses on outlying industrial estates and those in the town centre involved in the night-time economy were visited, with officers offering bespoke crime prevention advice.

Detective Inspector Ryan Chapman, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “The fact that these Safer Business Action Days are being held across York and North Yorkshire shows how seriously we take this type of crime, and gives us an opportunity to highlight the work we are doing to tackle the issue.

“These days aren’t just a one-off. Our Neighbourhood Policing Teams will continue to work closely with businesses to reduce the impact of this type of crime.”

We encourage all business owners to follow the crime prevention guides on our website. These include tips on how to spot a shoplifter, prevent diners leaving without paying, deter burglars, and protect against vandalism. Please visit our Business crime prevention pages.