Members of the Douglas Shopwatch scheme are due to be better informed about suspicious activity and shoplifters in the capital following the acquisition of a laptop for use by the scheme’s security personnel.
Set up in 2006 Shopwatch is a partnership between the police, Douglas retailers and Douglas Development Partnership aimed at increasing detection rates of thefts from shops and driving down levels of shoplifting by repeat offenders.
The laptop, provided by Shopwatch member Colebourn, will be used by the security team based in the Strand Centre to give direct access to the scheme’s textnet service.
Development manager Chris Pycroft explained: ‘The laptop will be linked to the textnet service which allows Shopwatch registered members to alert the Strand Centre’s security personnel to suspicious behaviour or sightings of known shoplifters on their premises. Retailers also receive intelligence alerts and advance warnings of potential criminal activity.
‘Shopwatch is making a huge impact on the town’s central retail area, reducing incidences of repeat shoplifting and sending out an unequivocal message that swift and decisive measures will be taken against those who commit shop theft.’
Douglas Development Partnership, 7-13 Victoria Street, Douglas, telephone 612022.
Phil Colebourn presents the laptop for use by the Shopwatch security team to Douglas Development Partnership's Chris Pycroft and Strand Centre manager John Shakespeare
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