Crime prevention efforts in Redcar for the Cleveland town’s retailers over Christmas have been hailed a success.
Sgt Andrew Dark came up with the idea of small messages made to be displayed within stores at or near selected items that may have been attractive to thieves. The message was printed on a hand shaped cut out which informed people that the product was covered by CCTV and all shoplifters would be prosecuted. This was then attached by a small plastic strip that allowed the hand to move and make it more eye-catching.
A number of shops across the district were given the hands and many of them in return provided the team with small gifts to be used as prizes in a raffle or tombola to support a local charity.
On Saturday, December 8, officers from the team held a table top tombola at a charity event at Kirkleatham museum and raised £207. The money has gone to Zoe’s Place Children’s Hospice. Police add that over the festive period the offences of shoplifting in Redcar town centre showed a reduction against last December.
