RADIO LINK SNARES THREE!

A vandal smashed a window of a town centre shop and then ran off. But staff from a nearby pub used their radio link to alert the Angel Place security guards who then followed the man. They in turn kept the police informed of his movements; he was then subsequently arrested and has since appeared before the local magistrates.

Security guards from Safeway’s gave chase to a male shoplifter, who got into a car and was then driven off at high speed by an accomplice. The store detective then used his radio to link up with CCTV operatives at Sedgemoor District Council who in turn tracked the vehicle using the town’s cameras. The offenders drove towards the police station in Northgate unaware that the police were waiting for them, the vehicle was stopped and stolen property was recovered which led to the arrest of the two offenders. The shoplifter was charged with theft and both were detained for offences committed in other parts of the country.

In another incident, police were alerted by pub staff, who were concerned that a man who had left the premises would be driving over the limit. The police followed the vehicle briefly, until the driver crashed. The man was found to be in possession of a quantity of heroin and over the drink drive limit, he has since appeared before local magistrates.

DON’T GET BANNED!

The Retail Watch Scheme has issued an all member exclusion and is collating intelligence on other shoplifters who will be told they are not welcome in Bridgwater. The Pub Watch scheme has processed bans for 20 individuals from entering all member premises. Recently local Magistrates supported the Pubwatch ban and issued a formal Court Exclusion. The chairman of Pub Watch says, “We are united in our efforts in achieving a safe and secure drinking environment in licenced premises and to help change behaviour around drink related crime”.