Shoppers are being encouraged to stop and speak to their local officers as they set up shop in Eldon Square in Newcastle. Members of the City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team have a stall set up all this week to get crime prevention advice out and to speak to people about any concerns.
The stall is at Chevy Chase and includes information about Northumbria Police’s ongoing personal safety campaign aimed at revellers – keys, money, phone, plans to get home – which highlights the need to pre-plan getting home when planning a night out.
But in the main officers will be getting the message out about the importance of keeping personal property safe following a spate of mobile phone and purse thefts in the city’s pubs and clubs.
Advice includes making sure property is kept close to them at all times, preferably in a zipped compartment, that they can feel their property easily and never leave property unattended. They team will also be showing people how easy and effective it is to register property with national property database Immobilise, as well as how to download free software which can help track property if it is stolen.
Neighbourhood Sergeant Darren Graham said: “People often carry around with them property worth hundreds of pounds and it’s vital they consider how to protect them as opportunist thieves do operate.
“If a thief sees a phone or wallet lying on a table or sticking out of the top of a bag or a pocket they will take advantage, and while we are carrying out operations to combat these thieves it’s important people know they need to look after their belongings.
“The event at Eldon Square all this week is aimed at raising awareness about crime prevention and the things people can to help make it more difficult for thieves. I’d urge people in the area to take a few minutes to stop and talk to their local officers.”
