Traders unite against crime

LEWES shopkeepers beset by thieves and fraudsters are to set up their own ShopWatch scheme to combat retail crime.

They are to be issued with two-way radios so that they can call each other when a suspected criminal walks in or a theft takes place.

They will also be issued with photographs of known villains, and each radio will have a panic button to summon immediate police help.

The ShopWatch scheme has been so successful in towns such as Eastbourne that regular criminals, many of them drug addicts, have targeted non-protected communities such as Lewes.

More than 40 traders welcomed the scheme at a meeting on Wednesday organised by Sussex Police.

Chamber of Commerce president Malcolm Heaven said later: 'Everyone appreciated that something needs to be put in place to prevent the rising level of shoplifting, card fraud and the passing of counterfeit money in Lewes.

'One trader said he had written off thousands of pounds of goods since Christmas because of fraud and thieving.

'A number of professional criminals from Brighton and Eastbourne are targeting Lewes as the lack of a ShopWatch scheme leads to easy pickings.

'The police cannot be everywhere and we do have to take reasonable precautions ourselves to reduce the levels of this type of crime.

'It is essential we make villains appreciate we are not a soft touch.'

A follow-up meeting is to be held on March 20 when various radios will be shown to traders. They can be rented for just 5 a week and beat policemen will also carry them.

The scheme could be up and running by the end of April,

Said police retail crime co-ordinator Mike Pope: 'It was a very positive meeting. The traders were enthusiastic and I have no doubt others will want to join in when the scheme gets going.'

Others who wish to join the scheme or find out more about it can contact Mike on 01323 414208.