GWENT police are clamping down on shoplifting in Torfaen through what they have described as ‘Operation Tinsel’.
Gwent police are increasing police presence – both in uniform and in plain clothes, have set up partnerships with town centre security and businesses, and are using technology like facial technology to catch reoffenders.
Police presence in Cwmbran town centre involves patrols walking around the shops.
Gwent Police Neighbourhood Inspector Lee Stachow said there is always an increase in shoplifting at this time of the year.
“It’s really, really important for me and the team to address that and show an increased uniform presence on the town centre,” said Inspector Stachow.
Watch Inspector Stachow explain ‘Operation Tinsel’ in the video below.
The police are working in partnership with security in Cwmbran centre, who have 202 CCTV cameras in the centre of town. These cameras have facial recognition technology which allows them to catch reoffenders if they enter stores.
Read more about how facial recognition cameras are reducing crimes in Gwent: Newport store’s recognition cameras are helping to reduce shoplifting
Inspector Stachow said: “A bulk of our offenders are already known to us. There is a whole host of reasons and I think we need to be aware to the fact that at the moment in the UK, people are feeling the strains financially.”
Inspector Stachow said the financial strain has caused people people to reoffend.
Gwent Police are trying to stop as many shoplifting offences at the source by targeting reoffenders and getting them help so they cut their shoplifting habits.
A member of the security team at Cwmbran town centre said they have a close partnership with the police.
(Image: Tristan Rees) Gwent Police community support officers Jess Hawkins, Ebie Seedat and Sophie Bevington (L to R).
CCTV facial recognition has helped stop reoffences but that is not the only solution.
The police are trying to make sure that the offenders can receive some kind of support so they can break the cycle of shoplifting.
“We see that the bulk of the offenders are prolific shoplifters who have some sort of vulnerability around a drug or an alcohol issue. they are the ones we need to stay on top of because their offending can quickly spiral,” said Inspector Stachow.
“We work really closely with partners to look at shoplifting offenders and what support we can put in play to help reduce the reoffending basically.
“Ultimately we want to help these people, it’s not all about prosecution. It is to try and help these people to stop them reoffending. So we work with various partners around that.”