Seminars tackle retail crime in Coleraine town centre

The seminars were held at the Jet Centre and at Peacocks with the aim of providing traders and their staff with up-to-date advice on retailer and employee rights, and guidance on the best way to deal with the issue of shoplifting.

Those who attended were also shown how to use the Radiolink system, which allows traders to alert each other, the town’s CCTV operators, and the police, to crime and suspected criminal activity, to best effect.

Neighbourhood Constable Sharon McGonigle said: “We all want to see a reduction in the level of shoplifting, and distraction thefts such as money changing scams, in the town centre, and in order to achieve this it is important that traders, CCTV operators and the police work together as one.

“The combination of high visibility police patrols, the Radio Link system, which has now been extended to the Riverside Retail Park, and town centre CCTV, should be a real deterrent to criminals who will find it increasingly difficult to operate undetected when their unlawful actions are under such scrutiny.

“The early reporting of incidents continues to be an important factor in the fight against crime. Alerted by Radiolink, traders who are members of the scheme can then update the police as to the current location of the culprits. It will also provide the CCTV operators with an opportunity to quickly identify offenders and record events as they unfold,” she said.

Neighbourhood Constable Darren Pollock added: “Coleraine is a great shopping town and I am in no doubt that the public will not only welcome the unobtrusive steps being taken to reduce crime in the town centre, but will feel safe, and will enjoy their visit to the town even more.”

Julienne Elliott, Town Centre Manager said, “Triangle Radiolink is a vital component in the fight against retail crime and anti-social behaviour. The linkages to CCTV provide the complete service in the detection and prevention of crime. I would encourage more retailers and businesses to become members of the Triangle Radiolink Scheme and be part of this crime reducing partnership.

“Membership of the scheme gives direct contact to neighbourhood police team, a crime reduction tool for your store and also free scheduled crime prevention training for your staff.

If you wish to become a member please contact Coleraine Town Partnership Ltd office on 70344067.”