Trade group meets with new crime commissioner to address crime threat

National deputy vice president, Jason Birks, visited her to discuss the necessary changes needed to tackle retail crime in the area.

Birks explained the impact of the high levels of violence and abuse NFRN members suffered every day and emphasised the need for police forces to do more to prevent and address these incidents.

The commissioner confirmed that safer businesses would remain a priority for the force and it will try to improve its crime response time.

It follows a recent survey which found that 37% of Durham County members did not report a crime incident due to lengthy response periods.

She also confirmed that a new off-licence watch scheme would be considered, to spread awareness of criminal activity and anti-social behaviour, alongside prioritising reporting of incidents on a new online system.

The NFRN has been working for some time to raise the issue of retail crime and many police and crime commissioners are now aware of the importance of the issue to local communities.