News
Cadets offer shoppers a little extra
Dated: 25 Jun 2012
[View Full Size]People visiting a Gateshead retail park got the opportunity to pick up crime prevention advice along with their shopping.
Volunteer Police Cadets accompanied officers from the Gateshead South Neighbourhood Policing Team to deliver advice on looking after personal possessions and keeping parked cars safe.
Police joined forces with Mothercare at the Team Valley Retail Park where teen cadets and regular officers mingled with summer shoppers and handed out leaflets and key rings.
PC Katie Carrick of Gateshead Area Command, who led the day’s event, said: "This event saw us working in partnership with Mothercare and other retailers to tackle shoplifting and theft from vehicles on the trading estate.
“While Team Valley crime levels are low we wanted to raise more awareness among retailers and shoppers of the steps they should take to avoid becoming a victim of crime.
“Also it was another opportunity for our young cadets to interact with the public and gain experience of neighbourhood policing events."
Sarah Harrington of Mothercare at the Team Valley Retail Park added: "The event attracted lots of interest from shoppers and sends out a message to criminals that retailers on the Team Valley are working with the police to prevent criminal activity."
PC Katie Carrick (pictured with Cadet Jordan Wilkinson, PCSO Ian Robson and Cadet Sarah Bond outside the mobile police office) was last year presented with a personal contribution award by the Association of Shopwatch Partnerships and Retailers Against Crime North East for her outstanding work with retailers at Gateshead's Team Valley retail park.
Over the past 12-months, shoplifting in the area has reduced by 15 per cent, equal to 27 fewer crimes, while car crime has reduced by 22.5% - equal to 48 fewer incidents.