New radio link scheme launched in fight against shoplifting (From York Press)

Clifton Moor radio link scheme launched in fight against shoplifting

7:57am Friday 2nd November 2012 in News By Jennifer Bell, jennifer.bell@thepress.co.uk

With their radios at the ready are, from left, Lee Hodgson of Tesco, Monks Cross centre manager Katherine Sharp, Jake Singleton of the Great Outdoors store and PCSO Mike Holden at the launch of the new radio link scheme for retailers at Clifton Moor

CALLING all shoplifters: we are watching you. That is the message to would-be thieves at one of the city’s largest shopping centres.

North Yorkshire Police and Clifton Moor Against Crime (CMAC) are working in partnership with Apex Radio Systems Ltd, to provide retailers on Clifton Moor Retail Park with a new radio-link scheme to prevent shoplifters targeting the site.

The radio will provide retailers with a network so any suspicious behaviour can be reported immediately.

Members will share information about the most prolific shoplifters and up-to-date advice about what to look out for.

The radio system was officially launched yesterday and police, retailers and security staff hope the software will put an extra barrier in the way of opportunist thieves.

Speaking at the launch, PCSO Mike Holden said he wanted a “zero-tolerance” message sent to any thieves thinking about targeting the site. He said: “The message to shoplifters is you are not safe at Clifton Moor.”

Tanya Lyon, crime reduction manager of Safer York Partnership, welcomed the scheme. She said: “We have received a very positive response from Clifton Moor retailers to the new radio scheme and look forward to working with them, North Yorkshire Police and APEX to make it an ongoing success.”

Jim Curry, Apex Radio’s managing director, said: “We are proud to now be working closely with CMAC, North Yorkshire Police and local retail outlets to put a modern Apex radio system into Clifton Moor.

“This scheme will provide an aid to help combat crime and disorder, thus achieving a safer environment for local and visiting public and also the retail staff who work in and around Clifton Moor.”