CCTV blitz on shoplifters: VIDEO

SHIFTY shoplifters have been warned to beware after police launched a new initiative in a bid to cut crime in a Rotherham shopping centre.South Yorkshire Police and Parkgate Shopping World have joined forces to crack down on thieves, as officers are now ab

SHIFTY shoplifters have been warned to beware after police launched a new initiative in a bid to cut crime in a Rotherham shopping centre.

South Yorkshire Police and Parkgate Shopping World have joined forces to crack down on thieves, as officers are now able to see live images from the cameras that are situated across the shopping complex.

The new link, which park bosses said had already brought a 70 per cent cut in shoplifting offences, means that police CCTV operators will be able to see when an incident happens and alert Parkgate staff and security on the ground.

Footage recorded by the cameras can be used to support police investigations as it allows offenders to be clearly identified.

With the car parking areas of Parkgate Shopping having already been awarded the police approved “Park Mark” accreditation for safer car parking, bosses hope that this new link-up will make shoppers feel even more reassured.

Supt Andrew Parker applauded the community working together.

Crime in Rotherham is not as high as other areas and a lot of that is down to bringing partners in like we have here to help us,” he said.

“The cost is minimal really but we have to make sure we put the cameras in the right place.

“It’s all about making Rotherham a safer place to live, so that people can come and enjoy there spare time here.”

Parkgate Shopping centre manager Dennis Copeland said: “It’s about working together to try and cut crime.

“These are profefssional shoplifters we are dealing with at Parkgate but since the scheme started, we have managed to cut shoplifting crime in the complex by around 70 per cent.”

The new system at Parkgate will add to the existing 140 CCTV cameras across the Rotherham area.

Crime Prevention Officer Pc Jack Regan, said: “Parkgate was a bit of a black spot before—we couldn’t really see what was going on there.

“Because the system is new, there is a bit of a delay with the images that come through to us on the laptop but they will be transferred onto the big screen soon so we will have a better view of incidents as they happen.”