NEWS RELEASES
Prison visits discourage shoplifting
19 November 2008
A PROGRAMME to deal with first time shoplifters in Horsham is continuing its success.
The Crime Diversion Programme is specifically aimed to reduce the re-offending by young people (aged between 10 and 17 years) and encourage them to take responsibility for their behaviour.
The scheme, which was launched in Horsham in April last year (2007), is designed for offenders who have been neither violent nor aggressive but who are caught stealing goods to the value of £300 or less.
It is in place to deal with initial offences before a shoplifting habit develops, which in many cases can be a slippery slope to further offending.
The programme is delivered through the Horsham District Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership and involves a staged process which runs as follows:
- Police are called to store where a suspected shoplifter has been detained by staff.
- If the young person is a first time offender and matches specific criteria, the officer completes paperwork on the spot, which is passed to the Anti-Social Behaviour Unit at Horsham Police Station.
- A letter follows shortly to the offender and parent/s inviting them in for an initial warning interview held at the Police Station
- The next stage is a compulsory visit to Lewes Prison and a meeting where they will talk with inmates to gain an understanding about the impact crime can have on people’s lives; the realities of prison life and what plans are already in place to re-integrate prisoners back into the community once they have served their jail term.
- If any other help is required referrals can be made to other professionals like the Connexions team, which is on hand to help address any possible causes behind the offending.
- A caution/final warning interview is conducted where DNA and fingerprints are taken.
To date sixteen people have completed the scheme with three awaiting prison visits and final interviews by the end of November 2008.
Every young person who enters the scheme is tracked and since the programme started in April 2007 only one person has re-offended.
Amy Parsons, who co-ordinates the scheme from the Anti-Social Behaviour Unit at Horsham Police Station, said:
"We are very pleased that businesses have shown such interest and enthusiasm to be involved with the Retail Crime Diversion Programme and hope to visit more shops within the District in the near future to get them on board.
“We’re confident that the scheme has prevented certain individuals from developing a shop lifting habit, which is the key aim.”
Ends
Note to editors
This news release has been issued by Horsham District Council as part of the Horsham District Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.
The Horsham District Crime Disorder Reduction Partnership is a statutory partnership of Horsham District Council, Saxon Weald, West Sussex County Council, Sussex Police, Sussex Police Authority, West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service and West Sussex Primary Care Trust.
The Partnership is charged with reducing levels of crime and disorder in the Horsham District through sustainable solutions; by working with other key public, private and voluntary agencies and the community. More information is available by calling 01403 215116 or email: community.safety@horsham.gov.uk
CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
Email: richard.morris@horsham.gov.uk