'Hotspot' patrols being stepped up around city

POLICE SAY STORES BEING TARGETED ON 'DAILY BASIS'

- By WILLIAM TELFORD

POLICE SAY STORES BEING TARGETED ON 'DAILY BASIS'

SPECIAL “hotspot” patrols are being stepped up in Plymouth city centre to deter crime and antisocial behaviour in the run up to Christmas.

With the main shopping area busy, police officers and Plymouth Against Retail Crime's Parc Rangers are working together to target areas where intelligence has identified problems are most likely to occur.

Shoplifting has soared by 28% in the past 18 months, and the festive period sees a further spike in thefts - and an increase in antisocial behaviour too.

Police said stores are being targeted on a daily basis, but funding from the Home Office, through the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, means extra patrols are being deployed during the day and into the evening in the city centre.

The initiative combines on-the-ground visibility from the Parc Rangers with real-time intelligence gathered via the new Sentrysis crime-reporting app.

The initiative focuses on areas identified through data as having high levels of shoplifting, repeat offending, and antisocial behaviour.

The Sentrysis platform enables Parc Rangers and participating retailers to instantly share live intelligence, report incidents, and access up-to-date information on known offenders - enabling a faster, more coordinated response.

The hotspot patrol strategy means Parc Rangers are deployed into targeted high-risk zones to provide immediate support to businesses experiencing incidents, and deter persistent offenders through increased visibility and rapid intervention. They are backed up by the police with both high-visibility uniformed patrols and plain clothes officers involved.