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Christmas Greetings - Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2004

The Retail Crime Operation extends Seasons Greetings to all its Members and all their Staff. We will do all that we can  to make it a prosperous and safe, Happy New Year 2004.

Wednesday 31 December 2003

Here's one resolution that you will not want to break.

'I WILL NEVER BE A VICTIM OF CRIME'

Our resolve has always been to do as much as possible to ensure that YOUR RESOLUTION comes true, unfortunately Utopia is only a word in a dictionary and a few of you will become victims. Not everyone likes being told what to do, hey I was a traffic motorcyclist for a number of years and boy can you motorists be argumentative, but I digress.

Starting today, and continuing through the year, will be a weekly bulletin entitled  'As A Consequence Of . . .'
The intention of this feature is merely to let you know what another person was doing, or what took place in a building or road that led to a crime.

None of the victims would have found their circumstances amusing, perhaps some of their actions are not that far removed from what you do every day, its your call.

AS A CONSEQUENCE OF . . .

. .Going to a pubs promotion offering free drinks a 62 year old male got drunk and was using his mobile phone when he was robbed on the way home.

. .Stopping at the side of the road to answer his phone a motorist, whose doors were unlocked, was robbed.

. .Starting the car and then leaving the keys in the ignition while scrapping the ice of the windows the car was stolen.

. .Going into an alleyway to 'take a leak' a 36 year old male was followed by two males and then robbed.

. .Parking her vehicle on a street a 22 year old woman watched as her unlocked passenger door was opened and a male reached in a took her handbag off the passenger seat.

. .BOWING YOUR HEAD, WHILE USING YOUR MOBILE PHONE, MEANS THAT YOU CANNOT SEE ANYONE APPROACHING YOU AND REACT SHOULD THEY DECIDE THAT IT'S YOUR MOBILE THEY WANT.

ITS YOUR CHOICE
 

Thursday 18 December 2003

There is in circulation an e-mail relating to 'intelligence being received from the police via a barristers chambers to say there may be. . .(an incident in a Birmingham shopping centre)

THIS MESSAGE HAS NOT BEEN SOURCED FROM THE POLICE AND HAS NO BASIS IN FACT

As stated previously, there is no current information to suggest that any such event will be taking place.

If you receive mail with the above message content please do not forward it on. West Midlands Police are committed to promoting public safety by reducing crime and the fear of crime.
 

Monday 8 December 2003

Starting in the New Year - We will advertise Security Vacancies on this website. This facility is offered free of charge to Members. Any immediate vacancies can be forwarded to Chris James in the RCO Office or emailed jobs@shopcime.org.uk
 

Wednesday 3 December 2003

West Midlands Police is working to maintain public safety and disrupt any potential terrorist activity as Christmas and the New Year approach - and we are asking people across the region to help us.

The force is also today announcing it will be deploying armed officers on foot in Birmingham city centre during the festive period. There is no specific threat to the West Midlands but we recognise that there is a possibility of terrorist action against the UK. Police will be increasing high-visibility patrols across the region and officers will be paying particular attention to locations which may be considered more likely to be at risk.

Specific planned operations, such as road checks, will also occur at key points. The force also constantly reviews both intelligence that is gathered, and its contingency plans for any incidents that may occur.

In Birmingham city centre, armed officers on foot will be deployed to key static points to support police activity and display the determination of the force to keep people safe. Armed officers may also be deployed to other key locations across the region at the discretion of local commanders.

We are also asking people in the West Midlands to help us keep the region safe this Christmas. We want to hear from anyone who sees anything a suspicious vehicle, package or person. We would always rather that people call us if in any doubt.

Anything which causes suspicion should be reported to the police. West Midlands Police can be contacted on 0845 113 5000; the Anti Terrorist Hotline is 0800 789321; and for emergencies the number is 999.

We will act on information from the public and potential security risks will be taken seriously. This might mean that sometimes roads are closed and buildings evacuated but we are sure that people in the region will understand that public safety must always be our first concern and we hope that they will react in their customary reasonable and patient manner.
 

Friday 28 November 2003

You may have, or may soon receive a letter purporting to be from: Data Protection Enforcement Agency, Sparta House, 49 Heath Road, Rochdale

The letter outlines that it is a criminal offence not to be registered with the Data Agency and provides a booklet, to be completed and returned, together with a cheque to the value of £135.

The package is professionally presented.

Enquiries with Greater Manchester Police show that these premises do not exist.

If you have any concerns over data protection registration please make enquiries via the address details provided on the official web page:

www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk
 

Tuesday 18 November 2003

The Prime Minister and Hazel Blears, Home Office Minister for Crime Reduction visited the Birmingham Retail Crime Operation on Monday 17 November 2003 at Selfridges, Bullring, Birmingham. Hazel Blears made an announcement.

 Announcement here            Persons Present here          Photographs here

The purpose of the visit was for the Prime Minister to become aware of the approaches currently being employed within the city centre to tackle anti-social behaviour, youth nuisance, truancy, robbery, shop theft etc. and to demonstrate that the Retail Crime Operation, WM Police and other partners are making a difference.
 

Friday 14 November 2003

Currently arriving in people's e-mail accounts is a message supposedly originating from a Police Officer in Warwickshire relating to an incident of a female changing tyre, male helping, briefcase with rope in it etc. etc.

THIS IS NOT A POLICE MESSAGE - THE EVENT NEVER HAPPENED

The 'alleged' originating officer named in the mail has been spoken with and he has no knowledge of how the message was sourced, but he is aware that the message is being sent around the country.

If you have or do receive the message please BIN IT there is no need to forward it on. This is an example of how an 'urban legend' starts, what is not realised by the fool who began it is that some people are actually affected by such messages.

You are never asked to forward messages on, other than cascade the information through your own intranet/systems. Any broadcast involving an alleged incident beyond the Birmingham City Centre, if true, is left to be reported on by the media.
 

Monday 03 November 2003

Since the warning about laptop bag thefts, there have been no other similar offences. One of the offenders has now been arrested.

Your awareness has helped in this matter as it has on numerous occasions and in different ways over recent years. Partly because of this, and the policing strategy combined with partnership work, we have had three years of marked reductions in crime in general.

The variations in crime between October 2002 and October 2003 (for the City Centre) are as follows:

                                 Oct. 02    Oct. 03           %
Robbery                        80           57              -28.8
Vehicle Crime             267         141              -47.2
Burglary dwelling          18             9              -50

90,000 plus people work in the City Centre. Tens of thousands visit each week to shop. Thousands visit the entertainment/leisure zones each night. BIRMINGHAM is a safe city - Motorists can help by putting all your belongings (including your Christmas shopping) in the boot of your car. If it can't be seen it can't be nicked. If its not nicked then your windows aren't smashed. If none of the above, then you have more money to spend and enjoy yourself.
 

Wednesday 22 October 2003

The below described occupants of a stolen 3 door White Honda Civic saloon registration number M943 DNS are targeting persons carrying Laptop computer bags.

1. Mixed race male (black/white) early twenties, thin build, large nose, Birmingham accent approx. 5'8" tall wearing dark grey long sleeved hooded jacket and dark coloured baseball cap.
    

2. Mixed race male (black/white) 17-22yrs. 5'8"-11" tall black spiky hair wearing black long sleeved hooded top.
    

3. Dark skinned black male heavy build, black afro hair wearing dark clothing.

Imagine how the offenders felt when they found that two of the bags taken only contained papers and other non-valuable items.

Imagine how the victims felt when they are being robbed. Please find an alternative means of carrying a laptop about.

If you are not likely to walk the streets flashing a £20 note (because you are asking to be mugged) why walk about with a bag that a child knows should contain over a £1,000 worth of equipment?

The nights are getting darker, the environment about you is changing.

Its time to 'Switch On' to the changes and remain safe and sound.
 

Tuesday 7 October 2003

West Midland Police Economic Crime Unit, Cheque and Credit Card Fraud Section, will be carrying out a Crime Prevention Initiative at the Bull Ring Shopping Centre, for 4 weekend periods starting Saturday 22nd November 2003.

The idea is to target Credit/Debit card users to educate them with regard to card fraud.  A display will be organised with various posters and leaflets in addition to items that may attract children to the stand e.g. pens, balloons, key rings.

Barclaycard will supply a display showing how to recognise a counterfeit card.  Information packs. Information Packs will also be delivered to shop managers with training guides so that staff can learn about card fraud.
 

Monday 15 September 2003

Shoplifters were today warned to stay away from Erdington after it joined an anti-crime initiative.

The shopping centre is now a no-go area for shoplifters after its 200 shops and businesses became the latest members of the city’s Retail Crime Operation. Mugshots of known shoplifters and trouble makers are being distributed to more than 1,100 stores throughout the city, including the Bullring.

Centre manager Nigel Godfrey said it was the latest step in making Erdington safe for shoppers. He said: “CCTV cameras were installed last year and stores have a police radio link to exchange details. Already crime is down 25 per cent in the High Street and this will keep the momentum going. We saw how successful the Retail Crime Operation was in the city centre so Erdington stores and businesses are delighted to be part of it.”

Gordon Cummings, of the Retail Crime Operation, said that as more and more shops signed up, so criminals would have fewer places to go.

(Evening Mail - Press Reproduction)
 

Wednesday 27 August 2003

Bullring bosses have pledged they will not be a soft touch for shoplifters planning a crime blitz when the new complex opens next week.

The Birmingham Alliance has maintained its partnership with the city's pioneering Retail Crime Operation throughout the construction of the centre.

And when the new-look £500 million Bull-ring opens next Thursday, security staff and shop workers will have access to hi-tech security cameras and mugshots of scores of crooks already banned from city stores for stealing.

Retail Crime Operation boss Chris James said there would be no hiding place for the top crime "players" who steal from stores mainly to feed drug habits.

He said: "The Bullring is well into how we manage our system and the message to would-be thieves who think they can come in and abuse it is that they will have to think again.

"If they come into Birmingham intending to take advantage and steal we will be on the lookout for them. We exchange details with all of our partners around the Midlands and know who the big shop thieves are.

"The Bullring will have a lot of experienced guards well used to dealing with these people."

Since it was launched five years ago, the RCO has seen a dramatic reduction in crime after creating a database of known offenders and banning them from stores.

Birmingham Alliance spokesman Mel Evans added: "We have been working very closely with the Retail Crime operation and police since we began and that will continue once the Bullring opens.

"The Bullring will be fully covered by security cameras and duty assistants."

(Evening Mail - Press Reproduction)