A neighbourhood policing operation has cut reports of shoplifting by more than 70 per cent on a city retail park.
Operation Mansfield was launched following a rise in reports of shoplifting in the Sunderland Retail Park area of Roker, between mid-September to mid-December last year.
It was the area receiving the highest number of shoplifting reports in the Northumbria Police area at the time.
The operation, spanning from Monday, December 15 to Sunday, March 15, aimed to reinforce the force’s partnership working with Sunderland City Council and take advantage of proactive neighbourhood policing to crackdown on criminality in the area.
Across the 12-week period reports of shoplifting offences fell by a dramatic 72 per cent.
Key activity included a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) being served to a prolific offender, preventing them from further offending.
Three Community Protection Notices were issued, excluding those who had been handed them them from entering the retail park area.
Eight dispersal notices were issued in areas highlighted as shoplifting hot-spots, and seven Community Protection Warning Notices were handed out to address anti-social behaviour.
A problem address was also identified where it was believed stolen goods were being stored.
Officers worked closely with the landlord in a bid to remove the offending occupant from the property.
Joint days of action with colleagues from partner organisations played a huge part in addressing community concerns around shoplifting and anti-social behaviour, while the force’s dedicated motorbike disorder team, under the title Op Capio, addressed vehicle related issues across the wider area.
Sergeant Kristofer Irving, of Sunderland’s Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), said: “We see and hear how much of a negative impact crime such as shoplifting can have on local businesses and their livelihoods.
“That’s why we’re committed to working with partner agencies to tackle the problem head on.
“I welcome the results shown following the efforts of our Neighbourhood Policing Team across the past 12 weeks.
“Their dedication to making Operation Mansfield a success has really paid off.
“I’d ask members of the community and local businesses to continue to work with us by reporting shoplifting and anti-social behaviour within the area.
“We will continue to be visible and will take action.”
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Anyone with concerns about shoplifting or anti-social behaviour in their area can send Northumbria Police a direct message on social media or get in touch using the’ live chat’ or ‘report’ form on the force website.
For anyone unable to contact the force online can call 101.
In an emergency, or when a crime is taking place, the advice is always to ring 999.
