The scheme, which launched this week and follows on from a successful similar operation that ran during the summer months, will focus on increasing police patrols with both uniform and plain clothed officers around Tindale Retail Park and Bishop Town Centre during the busy shopping periods. Officers will be looking specifically at tackling shoplifting and reducing anti-social behaviour in the area.
PC Kimberley Marshall, from the Bishop Auckland Neighbourhood Policing Team explained, “The operation that ran during the summer saw the Neighbourhood Policing Team and Shopwatch working together to tackle crime in retail outlets. It proved very successful, and so we plan to build on that success and continue the good work over the winter months.”
For further details about the plans, call 101 and ask to speak to a member of the Bishop Auckland neighbourhood policing team.