Vapes seized and arrests as part of retail crime operation

Neighbourhood policing teams across the county took part in Safer Business Action Week (SaBa Week) from October 14 to 19.

The operation saw officers and PCSOs working with local retailers to promote crime prevention initiatives, conduct high-visibility patrols, and target known offenders.

Safer Business Action Week in Carlisle (Image: Supplied)

In Carlisle, a man was arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court charged with a shoplifting offence and breach of a Community Behaviour Order (CBO).

A day of action was held in Carlisle city centre on October 17 with the Carlisle Safe Business Partnership to target known offenders.

Officers visited several retail parks and businesses across the city to provide support and guidance around retail crime.

In Penrith, high-visibility patrols were conducted in hotspot areas throughout the week, and local businesses were visited and given crime prevention advice as well as a ‘safer business’ questionnaire.

Safer Business Action Week in Eden (Image: Supplied)

The Shopwatch Scheme across Eden was relaunched with some local businesses signing up to the scheme, and one person was also arrested on suspicion of shoplifting.

On October 20, a man in his 40s was arrested following an incident at one of the town centre businesses.

He was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence, common assault, and possession of an offensive weapon.

He has been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Illegal vapes seized during Safer Business Action Week in Kendal (Image: Supplied)

In Kendal, one person was arrested on October 17 on suspicion of theft, with officers attending the scene while the 999 call was still in progress.

Due to first-time offending, this was dealt with via an out-of-court disposal.

On the same day, officers carried out some joint visits with Trading Standards in Kendal and Bowness.

During the visits, officers seized around 1,200 illegal vapes from a store in Kendal.

This matter is subject to further investigation.

In Workington, an engagement event was held in the town centre on October 16.

Neighbourhood officers engaged with local businesses and gave out some crime prevention advice.

One man was also arrested for breach of a criminal behaviour order.

He was charged and remanded to court, where he received a community order and an electronic tag.

On October 17, another engagement event was held in Keswick.

Multiple shops were visited, and staff engaged with officers, with two stores signing up for the Schemelink initiative.

The NPT carried out high-visibility patrols in Whitehaven, Egremont, and Millom town centres during the week, focusing on engagement with shop workers, and promoting the Shop Watch scheme.

A man in his 40s was also arrested on suspicion of two commercial burglaries and two shoplifting offences.

He was released on bail pending further enquiries.

Barrow Neighbourhood Policing Team continue to target and identify those persistently committing retail offences.

The team are working to secure Criminal Behaviour Orders, which 'prevent further criminality and help protect business owners and residents.'

T/Superintendent Lee Skelton, who led the week of action, said: "Over the past week, our local NPTs have been visiting local retailers to better understand the issues they are facing on a daily basis.

"This partnership between police, partners, and local businesses is crucial to implement crime prevention initiatives and help target offenders.

"Although we have highlighted this work as part of the week of action, our officers work hard all year round to improve the support we give our local businesses and work with them to tackle crimes like shoplifting and abuse directed towards staff.

"So far, in October we have a positive outcome rate of 68.8 per cent for shoplifting offences across the county, but we are not complacent.

"Retail crime is far from being a victimless crime and there is often a misconception that these lower-level offences are less important than other crimes.

"However, we know the profound impact these crimes can have on our high streets, as well as the victims involved, and Cumbria Police take these crimes extremely seriously.

"We will continue to take an active approach to pursuing offenders who profit from causing misery to our local communities and retailers and put them before the courts to face justice."

Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: "I looked at retail crime prior to my election and nationally what I saw was shocking - retail crime is on the rise nationally, albeit more slowly and to a lesser extent in Cumbria.

"It is vital that we work together to tackle and prevent theft from shops and other retail premises and abuse towards shop workers altogether.

"Theft is not a victimless crime and can cause businesses to close – both major chains and independent stores.

"We have to do what we can help stop that from happening."