Crime Prevention Opportunity For City Centre Retailers

A successful crime fighting initiative pioneered in London could be brought to Liverpool for 2008 with the city’s retailers support. Peter Jones, Head of Liverpool Chamber’s Business Crime Direct Team, explained: “Although crime in the city centre has reached a 10 year low in total crime, this is no time for complacency. “Next year will see a big influx of visitors for Capital of Culture year and the opening of the L1 complex. We expect Liverpool to move up from 17th to 4th on the ladder of UK shopping venues and that will no doubt bring additional challenges from shop thieves.” The Metropolitan Police have successfully introduced the Shopwatch scheme, whereby retailers have allowed staff to become Specials in the store’s time, with the pay-back that they will carry out patrols in their own High Street in some of their working time. Look at the web site, www.shopwatch.info for more details. The Chamber is working with Merseyside Police to encourage Liverpool’s retailers to take...