New initiative to increase safety in Thame

TODAY, April 5, saw the launch of a SHOPWATCH scheme in Thame, which will enable shops in the town to share quickly information about people committing offences, like shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.

Image courtesy of West Yorkshire Police

Shop Watch in Thame aims to encourage better community spirit and improve communications between the retail premises of Thame.

Police Community Support Officer, James Hopkin, based at Thame, said: “The stores that have signed up will be receiving a radio which will be linked to each other and the force itself. This will enable faster and better communication between the shops.

“The purpose of Shop Watch is to enable instant communication between retailers. An example of when Shop Watch would show its full potential would be if a group were trying to spend counterfeit currency in one store; they could contact any other stores in the Shop Watch to make them aware. Secondly there will also be a scheme similar to Pub Watch, where a person banned from one shop will be banned from all. This will cover any offence they have committed and hopefully reduce the number of issues in the town.”

Shop Watch is a partnership approach involving Thames Valley Police, South and Vale Crime Partnership, Thame Town Council and MRS communications.”

Residents will start to see SHOPWATCH stickers displayed in the shop windows in Thame indicating that the shop is part of SHOPWATCH and any persons banned under the scheme will not be permitted to enter this shop.

If you would like to know more about the scheme, or have anything you would like to discuss with the police, go along to their Community Café on Wednesday, April 26, between 6-8pm at Thame Town Hall.

NB A similar scheme was launched in 2009 – https://www.thame.net/archives/5488