New officer aims to boost store security

RETAILERS will be sharing information and cracking down on fake bank notes and stolen cards in a bid to combat crime.

Newly appointed community police officer Kenny Eccles is planning new crime prevention measures at Straition Retail Park, Loanhead.

He hopes to expand the existing Shopwatch and Radiolink systems, which are operating at the retail park. He is working with Peel Holdings, which owns part of the park.

All shopkeepers are being encouraged to join in, sharing information about potential shoplifters and other criminals.

He said: "Retailers in the scheme have direct links to one another and can also contact me directly via radio whilst I am in the local vicinity. Shoplifters have been unpleasantly surprised to see the police standing outside the shop waiting for them following contact from store security.

"I will be carrying out both high visibility and plain clothes patrols to actively target perpetrators who come to Straiton."