Southern Co-op backs Sussex Police’s new team to tackle retail crime

Southern Co-op top boss has welcomed the launch of Sussex Police’s Business Crime Team (BCT) to tackle “shocking violence and abuse” against shop workers, stated reports today (10).

Reacting to Sussex Police’s BCT initiative, Gareth Lewis, loss prevention and security manager at Southern Co-op, said incidents of violence against supermarket staff have been “exacerbated by the pandemic”, with shop-floor staff having to enforce rules such as social distancing and wearing face masks.

"All too often, what happens in our stores is echoed in the surrounding communities,” Lewis said.

“If we can work with Sussex Police in any capacity to tackle the causes of crime then this will also benefit the local neighbourhood.

BCT is made of nine investigators and a sergeant, reports said. It will work with the business community and customers to bring together intelligence from across the county to catch criminals.

“Business Crime is not a victimless crime. Many places are small businesses, where the theft is very much felt, and shoplifters often come into contact with shop staff which has a real impact on them dealing with such offenders,” assistant Chief Constable Tanya Jones, who is part of the BCT, said, adding that shop employees are often faced with aggressive individuals, and they should not have to deal with such incidents during the course of their work.

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Borne said the team will be vital in tackling repeat offenders.

“This is what local businesses have been saying, this is exactly what is needed to identify prolific offenders and get them off our high streets to create a safer environment both for shoppers and retail workers,” she said.