Staffordshire Commissioner offers reassurance to business crime victims
Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Ben Adams visited a local SPAR shop in Western Downs, Stafford, recently to discuss the detrimental impact of business crime on shop owners.
The Commissioner spent time with business owner Julian Taylor-Green and Government Relations Director Edward Woodall from the Association of Convenience Stores to identify key areas of concern and highlight how he will continue working with Staffordshire Police to make improvements.
Julian, who has run SPAR on Cape Avenue with his family since 2019, lost out on thousands of pounds during 2023 from stolen stock and card scams. This includes a break-in at the end of November whereby £19,000 worth of cigarettes and tobacco were taken.
Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Ben Adams said: “Convenience shops such as this one in Western Downs are really important to our communities and I’ve been concerned to hear about the struggles business owners like Julian are facing on a daily basis.
“However, I know this is not a new issue and I will continue working closely with Staffordshire Police to improve communication between shop keepers and police officers when business crimes are reported.
“Conversations are ongoing as to how we can create a more streamlined method of reporting so that victims are able to upload CCTV evidence easily.”
The Commissioner also visited a Co-op store in Norton where staff had reported a number of incidents in 2023. 82% of these incidents resulted in an offender being identified and charged.
Julian said: “It was a pleasure to host our Police and Fire Commissioner Ben Adams yesterday in store.
I’m pleased to see Ben is really in touch with the challenges we face. Not only keen to support us, but hold all our regulatory bodies to account.
Most importantly, I feel that he understands the role our stores and team play in the locality.”
Association of Convenience Stores Chief Executive James Lowman said: “We are delighted to see more Police & Crime Commissioners across England and Wales prioritising retail crime and making it clear that shop theft and violence against shopworkers will not be tolerated.
“Partnership working and information sharing are the keys to making the implementation of the Retail Crime Action Plan work, and we want all retailers to engage with the police, report all crime and act together to identify and apprehend the prolific repeat offenders who blight communities.”
For advice and information on how to prevent shoplifting and other business crimes, visit: Business crime prevention | Staffordshire Police
To watch a video filmed with the Commissioner at the SPAR in Western Downs, go to: https://fb.watch/pW2e8yS3Vg/
Association of Convenience Stores Government Relations Director Edward Woodall, business owner Julian Taylor-Green and Staffordshire Commissioner Ben Adams
