A new retail crime team has been set up in Manchester city centre.
Forty Greater Manchester Police student officers are based at the Arndale Shopping Centre.
As a dedicated team, they have provided visible reassurance to businesses and increased the response rate to retail crime incidents.
So far, the shopping centre has seen an increase in arrests and stop searches, and the officers have been able to assist with other operations.
Chief inspector Stephen Wiggins said: “Our retail crime team addresses the challenges of retail crime and economic growth in Manchester.
“The team specifically targets the Arndale Centre which is our key demand area but also provides invaluable hands-on experience for student officers. From the outset of their careers, these officers are engaged in quality investigations and the development of advanced problem-solving skills.
“The operation is a really good way for new officers to get some experience in taking a job from start to finish, increasing their confidence when it comes to file work and responding to incidents in a busy city centre environment.
“This practical experience is designed to enhance their capabilities and prepare them for their career in GMP. The responses from the public and staff have been very positive and the team are going from strength to strength.”
The student officers are working under the guidance of more experienced officers. They will learn, develop and become proficient in key skills including intelligence submission and development, interviewing people, file completion and effective problem-solving with key partners including Antisocial Behaviour Action Team, Cityco and out of court disposals.
The team has concentrated their efforts on the top 10 prolific offenders known to target the Arndale Centre.
Officers tend to deal with shoplifting offences, antisocial behaviour, stop searches and giving crime prevention advice.
The Arndale Centre has experienced a six per cent reduction in burglary compared with last year. Overall, officers have made 182 arrests in four months, have seen a reduction of 46% in ASB-reported incidents and 22% reduction in retail crime.
PC Siobhan Smith, one of the student officers based at the Arndale, said: “I would say that initially I was nervous to start my independent patrol, especially in a new unit that I did not know much about or how it would operate, however I am very happy with how my time in the Retail Crime Team has progressed so far.
“My confidence has improved massively since I first started my time on the team, and I have been able to better familiarise myself with case files, as well as taking more of a lead in investigations which I have enjoyed and learnt a lot from.”
David Allinson, centre director at the Arndale, said: “Manchester Arndale has always had a close working relationship with GMP; so we were very pleased to be asked to be involved in this important initiative.
“It is therefore particularly encouraging to see the positive effect that the deployment of these additional police officers has had in the city centre already.
“The safety and security of everyone who visits Manchester Arndale remains our top priority and we will continue to work with GMP to support similar initiatives.”
