West Craven traders link up to fight shoplifting

ShopWatch, a radio scheme which has been running successfully in Barnoldswick, is being re-launched in the town and is now being extended to Earby.

It's hoped that this move will ensure businesses in West Craven make it through the effects of the recession.

The Partnership applied for a grant from the Retail Crime Fund, which is managed by the Home Office, and was awarded £9,000.

Councillor David Whipp, Chairman of Pendle Community Safety Partnership, suggested extending the scheme.

He said: "There's been a steady reduction in serious crime affecting our area in recent years and now we're putting a new emphasis on shoplifting.

"We need to do all that we can to reduce theft from shops - every offence can affect the viability of local businesses.

"ShopWatch is a scheme which has shown can cut retail crime by rapid radio communication and excluding trouble-makers from stores.

"This funding will improve the receiver in Barnoldswick and pay for additional radios and an extra receiver so that we can extend the scheme to Earby."

There are 186 retailers in Barnoldswick and 56 in Earby.

And the Partnership wants as many as possible to get involved in ShopWatch which links all those taking part by radio.

They can warn one another about known offenders or suspicious individuals who have visited their shop. They're also linked to the police.

PC Brendan Wood, Community Beat Manager for Barnoldswick, said: "Working with local traders, as part of the extended Shopwatch scheme, we're confident that we can reduce retail crime in Barnoldswick and Earby.

"This type of crime is low and we want to keep it that way because its impact on individual shops can be great."

Details of how the scheme will work are being finalised but traders who

would like to get involved in ShopWatch can contact the Community Safety Partnership on (01282) 661660.