Central England Co-operative and Derbyshire Police link-up to tackle in stores across Derbyshire
Posted by nathan lloyd | Published: 12/01/2017
An innovative new scheme designed to offer a zero tolerance approach to crime at Central England Co-operative stores across Derbyshire has been launched.
The Society has teamed up with Derbyshire police to run the zero tolerance campaign as a verbal and visual way of trying to deter crimes before they take place.
The campaign will include the use of a specially designed poster campaign and increased police presence in and around stores to send a strong message to both customers and the surrounding area that crimes such as theft and antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated.
The scheme is being rolled out in the county after a successful trial in other parts of the country.
Karl Hall, Loss Prevention Advisor at Central England Co-operative, said: “The idea behind this scheme was to showcase that we have a zero tolerance approach to crime in and around our stores including everything from theft to antisocial behaviour.
“As a retailer, we are based at the heart of the community and therefore it is very important to the Society that our colleagues, customers and the surrounding area remain crime free.
“After a successful trial in Leicestershire, the scheme is now in operation across the county and is now launching in Derbyshire.
“We are working with our colleagues in store to ensure they have all the training they need.
“The campaign provides a strong platform for colleagues and police to work together to ensure that there is a zero tolerance approach to crime at all times and that customers and colleagues feel safe and secure throughout the communities we serve.”
The campaign will include officers undertaking beat events instore, which could involve meeting and greeting customers and talking to them about crime prevention information and equipment such as window alarms, tamper proof licence plate screws for your car and other preventative measures.
Colleagues in store have also been trained to display high levels of vigilance and how to challenge anyone acting suspiciously.
Superintendent Tracy Harrison, who is in charge of operational policing in Derby, said: “We are pleased to be working with Central England Co-op to help them reduce crime in their stores across Derby. We are committed to reducing and investigating crime and protecting people in Derbyshire and as so of course support this initiative.
“Stores such as those owned by Central England Co-op are very often at the centre of our communities and so the opportunity that this scheme offers us to hold meetings with the public as part of our ‘Street Meet’ initiative is particularly welcomed.”
Notes to editors
Picture caption: PC Harriet Hitchon, Ashbourne Road Food Store Manager Robert Owen and Loss Prevention Advisor Karl Hall launched a new zero tolerance crime campaign link-up between Central England Co-operative and Derbyshire Police.
About Central England Co-operative
Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK. It is a modern, forward-looking organisation employing over 8,000 staff, with projected gross sales of £958million for 2016/17. The Society recently celebrated being named Leading Co-operative of the Year 2016 by Co-operatives UK. The Society’s principal areas of activity are food, funeral services, and property. Central England Co-operative has more than 430 trading outlets across 16 counties including; West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. The Society has an ambitious food store development programme for 2016/17.
Central England Co-operative is proud of its reputation for ethical business practices and corporate responsibility. It is a member of Business in the Community, the membership organisation that stands for responsible business, and has also won many business awards for excellence. The Society supports a number of charities including Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children and invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities.
For more information visit www.centralengland.coop, follow Central England Co-operative on Twitter: @mycoopfood, and on Facebook: facebook.com/centralenglandcooperative
Rob Smyth – PR officer - Central England Co-operative - 01543 414140
Email – publicrelations@centralengland.coop