ShopWatch

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ShopWatch, the powerful partnership that sees shop staff from across London trained as police officers, has gone from strength to strength over the last four years and is proud to be sponsoring the Retail Business of the Year award at the Thames Gateway Business Awards 2008.

ShopWatch sees retail staff getting intensive police training and becoming Special Constables, who have full police powers and can tackle crime head-on.  They go on duty with the Met for one day a fortnight, patrolling High Streets, shopping centres and retail parks across London and beyond.

Off duty, they’re doing their normal day job back in-store, with all the training, skills, confidence and strong links with police that they get from their time with the Met.

Many ShopWatch patrol zones are in the Thames Gateway and wider East London area, supported by a number of household name retailers. 

The shopping public can see an increase in the visible presence of police officers and can be reassured by off-duty officers working in a number of their local stores.

For the stores, shoplifting, fraud and internal dishonesty can be drastically reduced.  For staff, they can develop themselves personally and professionally, with skills such as assertiveness, leadership, decision-making and conflict resolution.  This is one of the main reasons that stores support their staff in ShopWatch – to invest in their people.  Many ShopWatch Specials describe their training and duty as a life-changing experience.

Neil Barrett, Head of ShopWatch, says: “This scheme has huge benefits for retailers, their staff and the shopping public across the capital and further afield.  Its main advantage over many other worthwhile schemes is simple.  The people involved in ShopWatch can take direct, on-the-spot action themselves, including arresting where appropriate.  Officers are trained to make the right decision, there and then, on or off duty.”

Retailers provide time off for staff for training and patrols.  There is no extra cost for the stores.  The Metropolitan Police Service run the application and selection process and provide vetting, medicals, in-depth training, uniform, equipment, ongoing development and, in most areas, an experienced officer to go on patrol with successful staff.

Virtually any business in a retail area can take part and those interested should contact the Met’s ShopWatch team on 020 7161 2651, visit www.shopwatch.info or email shopwatch@met.police.uk.

Store staff interested in ShopWatch can get in touch and apply in the same way, or check with their Head Office to see if their company already supports this fantastic opportunity.

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