Police in Tavistock mean business in helping retailers reduce crime
Police in Tavistock held a Safer Business Action day recently and visited a large number of local retailers to speak to them about crime issues and how officers can help them.
The event was an opportunity to connect with business owners and discuss any concerns they have along with offering crime prevention advice to decrease incidents such as shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. They were also aiming to encourage greater reporting of offences.
Sergeant Tom Ottley, who leads the Tavistock Neighbourhood Police Team, explained: “The team visited 100 premises during the business action day which included licenced premises and retailers. We had some really positive engagement and it is positive that all parties are keen to be more effectively connected.
“This was a very useful opportunity to talk to retailers and listen to what they would like from us. We are working closely with our colleagues at other agencies such as the local borough council and the Business Improvement District (BID).
Tavistock BID have recently invested in the DISC system which is already used in other parts of the Devon & Cornwall Police Force area and across the UK. This allows shops to report suspicious activity, low level crime and anti-social behaviour online and then share information with other businesses in the town. Training for the DISC system will take place in the near future.
BID manager Janna Sanders said she wanted to find a platform which would have a real impact for their levy payers in terms of enabling a more efficient way of submitting crime reports to the local police force and of circulating knowledge to keep them safer.
She said: “DISC is a powerful tool in the fight against business crime. Not only will it save businesses time when it comes to reporting crime, but it is also about sharing data and information, in a GDPR compliant way. It doesn’t stop at shoplifting; it is a tool to report any crime including anti-social behaviour.’
“We are really pleased to support the DISC system, and we hope it will increase reports of crime in the town centre and support Devon & Cornwall Police in gathering evidence for prosecution. Once information has been added to DISC, it remains on there, allowing users to build up local intelligence on incidents and offenders, with all information strictly compliant with data sharing legislation. We hope businesses will quickly see the benefit of the scheme.”
The local policing team also held a street briefing on Thursday 9 January in Bedford Square, Tavistock. This was an opportunity for local people to speak face to face with officers and raise any issues of concern.
Sergeant Tom Ottley continued: “Police and partners are working on a number of measures to improve life for our local communities and there are plans in the pipeline for the introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order in Tavistock. The order will be considered by the local authority in March.
“The order would mean that the public have to abide by certain rules in that area. PSPOs are designed to stop anti-social behaviour such as drinking alcohol in public or creating a noise nuisance late at night. Breaching the order is a criminal offence and those flouting the rules may be subject to a fine or further action.
“We know that the public can help us by sharing information they have. Officers can’t be everywhere and we get some great community intelligence passed on which helps us target our efforts in the right place and reassures the rest of the community that we are taking action.”
Those people who were unable to go along to the street briefing but wish to speak to local officers about a non-emergency issue, can call 101 or make contact via the Devon & Cornwall Police website Home | Devon & Cornwall Police
Tavistock Police Station's public enquiry office is scheduled to re-open which will allow more face-to-face contact with officers. The office will be open to the public from Monday to Saturday between 10am and 3pm. It will not be open on Sundays or Bank Holidays. The opening date will be confirmed in due course.
Disability parking will be available at the police station front car park or alternatively there is public parking on Abbey Rise. To find the station using a Sat Nav use the post code is PL19 9FD.
Pic shows Sgt Tom Ottley (4th from left) with officers from the Tavistock Neighbourhood Police Team and representatives from Tavistock BID
Image gallery:
select image to see larger version