Police in Blackwood have promised to get tough on shoplifters in the run-up to Christmas.
Gwent Police’s Christmas campaign to tackle shoplifting, antisocial behaviour and anyone looking to cause trouble in Blackwood will be continuing over the town’s busiest shopping period of 2012.
Officers will be on patrol in the town during shop opening hours and working in conjunction with the CCTV control room so that offenders and anyone acting suspiciously can be tracked whilst in Blackwood.
Twenty-five stores have signed up to the Blackwood Retail Partnership. The partnership aims to reduce crime by improving the information shared between shops, businesses, the police and the council. Some shops also have a ‘Storenet’ radio to quickly communicate with each other.
Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector Mark Smith said: “Blackwood town centre remains one of the preferred shopping destinations within the borough. I am determined to ensure that visitors find this a pleasant experience. Those who think they can commit crime in the area need to think again. My team will be watching you.”