This article is from page 4 of the 2013-12-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
INCREASED foot patrols will be among employed by gardaí this month to tackle the seasonal rise in shoplifting.
Details of the crime prevention measures were outlined at a meeting in Ennis last night between local gardaí and businesses.
The Ennis Chamber Garda Accord was established in 2003 to formalise meetings between the business community and the local Gardaí.
Members of the Garda Crime Prevention Unit and Business Liaison Team will be in attendance to give advice to businesses on how best to protect themselves, cash and premises in the busy Christmas period.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, crime prevention officer Joe Downey said businesses are encouraged to take appropriate security measures.
The businesses most at risk tend to be chemists, newsagents, off-licenses and fast food outlets.
He said appropriate measures helped to protect staff, reduce losses and avoid the risk of increased insurance premiums.
Practical security steps that can be taken include: not leaving large sums of cash in tills; training staff in security procedures; maintaining safe keys under dual control and varying the times when cash is transferred to the safe.
Sgt Downey said, “This time of year you can typically have a rise in shoplifting.
“These meetings are an opportunity to emphasize and remind businesses about having the right security features and settings in their businesses.”
CEO of Ennis Chamber, Rita McInerney said businesses are also concerned about levels of anti-social behaviour on the streets of Ennis.
“It’s not widespread but there has been a few instances in the last few weeks.
“The gardaí cannot act unless they are informed about what is happening by businesses.
“There is a lack of reporting of these things, and I can understand that as well.
“But that shows the value of the Garda Accord, these concerns can be raised by businesses as a group.”
Ms McInerney said businesses are also hoping to discuss the possibility of using Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) to deter offending among young people.
At Ennis District Court last week, Judge Patrick Durcan said that shoplifting offences and thefts are creating major problems for small businesses in Clare and promised the courts would tackle the issue.