Shoplifting concerns raised by traders in Market Harborough …

Business owners in Market Harborough[1] have raised concerns about a spike in shoplifting in the town. A recent meeting with the Harborough District Council[2] leader Councillor Phil Knowles saw businesses express worry about a rise in theft.

Data from Leicestershire Police states there has been 66 cases of shoplifting reported in the Market Harborough area between January and June this year. Most of these cases took place in and around the town's high street.

Following the meeting, the Liberal Democrat Councillor[3] visited businesses to reassure them the council is listening and working with other local partners to "discourage thieves". The council has said it monitors CCTV footage of the town to try and spot crime.

The council also has a community safety team which it says "regularly liaises with businesses offering prevention advice" to help keep their premises safe. Officers from this team are set to attend the 'Harbs Collective' meeting -[5] a community event to promote local businesses - to answer any questions about crime and shoplifting.

Coun Knowles[6] said: “I have been out and about meeting businesses to hear about their concerns. It is important that they know the local authority and the wider community safety partnership is here to support them in whatever way we can.

“The council is committed to keeping our streets safe across the Harborough district so businesses can trade in a happy, safe, environment. I would also strongly encourage any business that is the victim of a theft to report it to the police.”

Harborough District Council[7] has a number of CCTV cameras dotted around the town. These can be found here:

  • High Street
  • Abbey Street
  • Church Street
  • Coventry Road
  • The Square (two cameras)
  • Memorial Gardens
  • Adam and Eve Street
  • St Mary's Road
  • St Mary's Place (two cameras)
  • Northampton Road
  • Sainsbury's Car Park
  • Commons Car Park (two cameras)
  • Symingtons Road Car Park
  • Kettering Road/Springfield Road roundabout

References

  1. ^ Market Harborough (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  2. ^ Harborough District Council (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  3. ^ the Liberal Democrat Councillor (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  4. ^ Major timetable changes for buses that connect Market Harborough and Oadby to Leicester (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  5. ^ attend the 'Harbs Collective' meeting - (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  6. ^ Coun Knowles (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  7. ^ Harborough District Council (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)

Tags: