Police inspector plans New York-style approch to Shropshire crime

FBI-STYLE mugshots of convicted shoplifters could be handed to shopkeepers in north Shropshire as part of a new hard-hitting approach towards tackling anti-social behaviour and low-level crime.

New police inspector Rik Klair said he planned to take a New York-style approach to reduce crime in the area.

And he vowed to catch some of north Shropshire's known offenders on his watch.

Inspector Klair was speaking at a meeting of Whitchurch Chamber of Trade and Commerce last night - and told business bosses the moves could also help reduce instances of more serious crime.

Inspector Klair said he would explore whether pictures of convicted shoplifters could be supplied to town centre shopkeepers to help them identify would-be thieves before they strike.

He said: "If we look after things like the broken windows, serious crimes like murder will look after themselves.

"We are led by the public, and when we speak to the public, they tell us they are concerned about things like speeding and shoplifting."

He added that dealing with things like vandalism had a knock-on effect in terms of fewer serious crimes being committed.

Inspector Klair said the approach yielded good results in New York, where a recent police crackdown on lower level crime has also resulted in a drop in more serious crime.

The inspector added that he hoped to catch some of north Shropshire's known offenders on his watch.

Chamber members welcomed the initiative and urged Inspector Klair and his officers to do more to tackle shoplifting in the town.

There is already a ShopWatch scheme running with police in partnership with traders in Whitchurch, where shopkeepers have been provided with mobile phones to text details to each other.

Under Mayor Michael Bloomberg, police in New York have controversially taken a tougher stance on violent crime and low-level disorder.

Ethnic minorities in the Big Apple say they have been disproportionately targeted by police using stronger stop and search powers. But city officials say the move has helped reduce overall crime, making the city safer.

By Tom Johannsen