A scheme that helps businesses fight retail crime and enables people to shop more safely is being given a boost over the Christmas period.
The Selby Shopwatch scheme aims to strengthen communication and security across the town centre as people go about buying their festive food and gifts.
The scheme provides two-way radios to local retailers, enabling real-time communication that allows them to share alerts on suspicious activity, anti-social behaviour, and emergencies.
The first phase of the scheme was funded by North Yorkshire Police through the Government’s antisocial behaviour hotspot fund.
Six new radios are now being added to the current stock of 11 thanks to money allocated to community safety hubs by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
A total of 17 retailers are taking part in the scheme, with Morrisons, New Look, The Range, Marks & Spencer, B&M and McDonalds having joined recently.
Executive member for corporate services, Cllr Heather Phillips, whose responsibilities include community safety, said: “This collaborative approach helps create a safer environment for staff and shoppers while deterring retail crime.
“Selby town centre has been identified as a hotspot for anti-social behaviour and retail crime.
“While shoplifting figures have declined recently, seasonal trends show an increase in incidents during the festive period.
“The Shopwatch scheme provides reassurance to businesses and customers alike, ensuring a united front against such crimes.”
Using the radios allow stores to quickly alert each other and authorities about any ongoing incidents, while retailers also receive timely updates on known offenders and emerging threats.
The scheme strengthens CCTV by linking the control centre directly with local shops to help stop crime in real time.
“This initiative builds on what’s already worked well in Harrogate, bringing together radio links and CCTV to make a real difference,” said Cllr Phillips.
Cllr Jack Proud is the elected member for Selby East Division.
He said: “I’m really pleased to see the Selby Shopwatch scheme extended after its early success tackling retail crime. It’s an important initiative, and it’s great to see the council and North Yorkshire Police taking proactive action to keep shop staff and customers safe in our town.
“I’d also encourage any shops not yet involved to join the scheme and help strengthen this effort.”
Jo Coles, York and North Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for policing, fire and crime, said tackling retail crime by working together with businesses was a priority in the Mayor, David Skaith’s Police and Crime plan.
She said: “Through his Mayoral Investment Fund we have supported the creation of resilient high streets across our region, and our Community Fund is helping to deliver early-intervention projects aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour that can impact so many retailers in our region.
“Helping retailers to share intelligence is a great example of direct, local investment making a difference and aiming to build on the recent 1.4 per cent fall in shoplifting over the past year.
“It’s great that so many have already chosen to take part in this scheme, working together to deliver on David’s vision of safe places for everyone in our region.”
Our Community Safety Hub will monitor the scheme’s effectiveness alongside partners from North Yorkshire Police by tracking retail crime figures and engaging regularly with participating retailers.
North Yorkshire Police’s Insp Rob Campbell, of the Selby Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “The Shopwatch scheme is a fantastic example of partnership working. By improving communication between retailers and the police, we can respond quickly to incidents and prevent crime.
“Our priority is to keep Selby’s town centre safe and welcoming for everyone during the busy festive season and beyond.”