Police and partners unite to tackle business crime in Flint
North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Andy Dunbobbin marked the National Business Crime Centre’s Safer Business Action Week with a visit to Flint.
The national initiative brings together police forces and local partners to run operations and engage with communities to raise awareness of and reduce business crime.
Business crime can include offences such as shoplifting, burglary, assaults on staff, and making off without payment. Such incidents can lead to financial losses, higher insurance premiums, and harm to staff wellbeing.
The PCC visited Flint Retail Park with representatives from Flintshire Youth Justice Service and North Wales Police.
The group spoke to local retailers about the impact of crime in the area and discussed how agencies could work together to reduce incidents on the park.
Mr Dunbobbin was joined by Chris Clarke from the Flintshire Youth Justice Service, along with Sgt Tom Matthews and PCSO Erin Roberts from North Wales Police. They visited several stores including Food Warehouse, Home Bargains, Jollyes, Peacocks and B&M, where staff said that more needed to be done to challenge crime and poor behaviour.
Andy Dunbobbin, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, said: “The fight against business and retail crime is a key part of my Police and Crime Plan for North Wales. That’s why I fully supported this national week of action, which is a crucial step in addressing the challenges faced by our business community. By working together with local businesses and partners, we can prevent and tackle business crime across North Wales.
“Ensuring our business community have the confidence to invest in our high streets, free from the fear of crime, can only help our economy flourish and make our town and village centres more welcoming places for residents and visitors alike. I thank North Wales Police for all their efforts to combat business and retail crime up to now and look forward to seeing more progress in the months to come.”
Chief Inspector Siobhan Edwards of North Wales Police’s Prevention Hub said: “North Wales Police is firmly committed to reducing business crime and pursuing those responsible for these crimes. Safer Business Action Week is a welcome opportunity to say to criminals that their activities will not be tolerated in North Wales and to let business owners know that we are here for them when the need arises.
“Throughout the week, we had officers out and about engaging with business owners around matters including cyber crime and providing advice to them on licensing issues. Our We Don’t Buy Crime teams were also out speaking to residents, while other officers had pop up sessions in stores to speak to customers. Officers also gave lessons in schools to students around shoplifting. But all this work is only part of the action we are taking year-round in the fight against crime in our towns and villages. Together we can go even further towards making North Wales a safer and more secure place for business owners and customers.”
Check live fuel prices near you before you set off.
Spotted something? Got a story? Email news (@) deeside.com
NEW: Add Deeside.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Latest News
