Small local shops and large retailers/supermarkets lose hundreds to thousands of pounds every week due to theft, which is a major problem across the country.

The quality of CCTV systems have improved considerably in recent years and many shops employ part time/full time security guards to deter any potential opportunists, however this does not stop the most prolific offenders.

Town Centre NPT have been working with local retailers and analysing crime data, which led to identification of top 5 most prolific shoplifters affecting businesses not only in the Town Centre area, but across whole of Weston super Mare.

Investigation into offences committed by these individuals is ongoing as well as background work with local Anti Social Behaviour Team in order to compile evidence package towards ASB interventions available to police disposal in an attempt to tackle their prolific offending.

Officers from our newly formed Neighbourhood Tasking Team have had quite busy few weeks, providing high visibility patrols, seizing vehicles and executing warrants. Thanks to their hard work 4 shoplifters were arrested in the last 2 weeks, one of them has been remanded in custody, 1 has been served a Community Protection Warning and another one has a Community Protection Warning pending.
This is a fantastic result in just 2 weeks. We will continue applying pressure to those, who cause significant disruption/loss to our local businesses and in turn to our local communities.

There has been a spike in reporting of youth related anti-social behaviour from the local businesses and residents in Town Centre area of Weston super Mare.

Officers from the local Neighbourhood Policing Team have been conducting high visibility patrols in the affected areas and following up with the local businesses and North Somerset CCTV. 18 individuals have already been formally identified and partner agencies engaged to determine the plan going forward, so that their behaviour can be addressed.

Further work is ongoing and will include collaboration between North Somerset Community Response, Children Social Services and Youth Offending Service, as well as following up with children's parents to make sure they are aware of their children's whereabouts and incidents they are involved in.

Additional resources for high visibility patrols, through Operation HOLD (hot spot policing to tackle anti-social behaviour), have already been secured and there will be more officers patrolling the streets of Weston Town Centre over the next 3 weeks.

The work towards tackling the youth related anti-social behaviour and criminality in Weston Town Centre continues with even more interventions now being in place for those involved.
Since last update:

5 more warning letters have been written and delivered to the parent/guardians of those young persons involved
2 more Acceptable Behaviour Contracts have been signed (2 more are pending, but meetings have already be scheduled)
2 young persons are considered for Criminal Behaviour Orders
1 young person received police bail conditions, whilst the incidents they were involved in are being investigated

 
Police will not tolerate youth related ASB/criminality. Those involved will be dealt with robustly, partner agencies and parents notified.