Staines yobs and thieves exposed on website

May 7 2009 By Mark Goode

Staines Town Centre manager Stuart Douthwaite

A CRIME fighting 'neighbourhood watch' website has been launched to pass on information about shoplifters.

The site has been launched by Staisafe, an arm of the Staines Partnership, and has the backing of Spelthorne Council and Surrey Police.

Since launching three weeks ago, 60 businesses in Staines including department stores, supermarkets, and pubs, have joined as members.

Town Centre manager Stuart Douthwaite said: "It is a system where retailers can log on to a secure intranet and download other people's reports and photograph of shoplifters and anti-social behaviour."

The idea is to alert shop managers to potential shoplifters and reduce crime by sharing detailed reports and pictures of events that have occurred in stores such as credit card fraud and violence.

On Thursday May 7 a report was added by WH Smith to warn other traders about a group of young people who became offensive in the store last Sunday.

Stuart said: "The intranet is being trialled in Staines at the moment, and it will be properly launched in a a few weeks time, and if it is successful there is no reason it couldn't be extended to places like Ashford and Sunbury."

Although no arrests have been made through the site, a number of shoplifters have been identified by Two Rivers Shopping Centre security, which has allowed them to monitor the suspects and prevent thefts.

Security manager in the centre Steve Barlow said: "It is certainly useful for sharing information and will help to reduce crime. It will never cut crime completely, but the more people who use it means the more likely suspects will be identified.

"We use it a lot for reference when we think there is a potential shoplifter we know. We haven't had any arrests made through the system, but if we know a suspect is in the building, we can follow them on camera and prevent a theft instead of trying to catch someone after it has happened."

The cost is around £100 a year and any business interested should contact Ray Newell on 01784 465711 or email staisafecoordinator@yahoo.co.uk