Bishop’s Stortford police ‘working proactively’ with Co-op after thefts spark fears for staff and customers

Police in Bishop’s Stortford are working with the Co-op to keep customers and staff safe at the Sextons Road store after a series of thefts.

This week, Hertfordshire Constabulary appealed for help to identify a masked man after alcohol and tobacco were stolen on Wednesday April 2.

Last month, the force released three images of men they wanted to speak to after a “large amount” of cigarettes, tobacco and alcohol was stolen from the shop, opposite the railway station, on Tuesday February 26, at around 6pm.

On Thursday October 10, just nine weeks after the outlet opened for business, three men wearing balaclavas stole cigarettes and alcohol worth thousands of pounds.

Yesterday, concerns about the incidents and the impact on staff were voiced on the Bishop’s Stortford Community Facebook page.

Jo Tu kicked off the debate: “I just want to express my concern for the welfare of the lady working in our local Co-op next to the train station.

“This shop has been robbed six times in the last two months... always at night, and it’s the usual things – cash, alcohol and cigarettes. Multiple people at once, sometimes even with a knife in case she tries to stop them. Obviously, it’s reported to the police every time – but they’re showing up an hour later...

“The Co-op head office should really be doing more. Maybe something like what Tesco Express did after they were targeted – they built a clear wall to protect the tills area, where staff can hide if needed.

“This lady must be terrified, wondering if tonight she’ll be robbed again by these young masked criminals.”

She urged residents to write to the East of England Co-op. The Indie has asked the retailer what action it is taking to stop the store and its staff from being targeted by criminals.

Insp Mark Collins, who heads Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Safer Neighbourhood Team for Bishop’s Stortford and the rest of East Herts, told the Indie: “Ongoing investigations continue, with both forensic and CCTV enquiries being completed.

“The local neighbourhood policing team has been working with the loss prevention team at Co-op, to give security and theft advice as well as ensuring that staff and customers are being safeguarded. Recommendations were made following a previous incident.

“We continue to work proactively with the Co-op and other retailers to reduce crime and strengthen relationships.

“Working closely with local businesses has enabled us to capture the very real impact that shoplifting and crimes against retail workers have had on the community.

“As a result, we’ve been able to secure punitive measures, including a series of criminal behaviour orders (CBOs), restricting offenders from entering a designated area. This has been an effective tool to help prevent further crime.

“Together with the BID and funding from Operation Hotspot, we have provided retailers with access to town CCTV using Townlink radios, enabling us to quickly identify and prosecute the most prolific theft offenders in the area.

“We are also keen to bust the myth that thieves can get away with theft if it’s below a certain value. This has never been the case in Hertfordshire and there is no policy to say that if you steal low-value goods, you will not be dealt with by police.”

Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards has launched a new Retail Crime Forum to work “at pace” to tackle shoplifting.

The group aims to accelerate collaboration between national and independent retailers, business groups and the police and key partners.

The forum’s first meeting, to be hosted by a large retailer, will be held on Friday June 13.

Mr Ash-Edwards said: “I want to see robust action against prolific shoplifters and those who assault retail workers so that businesses have the confidence to report crime and people feel safe in their place of work.

“The forum will be a place where businesses can have their voice heard. I want to have a constructive conversation about what more we can do in partnership, and I encourage retailers large and small to join us.”

Co-op stores in Hatfield Heath, Stansted and Sawbridgeworth have been repeatedly targeted by thieves, and on Wednesday (April 16) police issued an appeal after Tesco in Ware Road, Hertford, was raided on Sunday April 6 and a have-a-go hero was injured.

The force said: “Suspects entered the supermarket and filled bags with bottles of alcohol before quickly leaving without any attempts to pay.

“A member of the public attempted to stop them from leaving, who pushed him to the ground and punched the victim, causing swelling and cuts to his face.”