Hartlepool people are being encouraged to have their say on, and ask questions about, retail crime and the work being done to tackle it at a special Safer Hartlepool Partnership Face The Public event.
The multi-agency event – which will include representatives from the Police, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Community Safety – is on Wednesday 18 February in the Council Chamber in Hartlepool Civic Centre, Victoria Road, from 5pm to 7pm.
The session will open with an introduction by SHP Chair and Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash, followed by presentations by the Police, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Hartlepool Borough Council on retail crime rates and the action being taken by partnership members to tackle retail crime.
There will then be a public question time on retail crime, followed by an opportunity to ask questions on other community safety-related topics.
Members of the public planning to attend are asked if possible to register in advance by emailing democraticservices1@hartlepool.gov.uk. They are also encouraged, where possible, to submit questions ahead of the meeting to the same email address, though questions are still welcome on the day.
Jonathan Brash said: “Hartlepool’s businesses are at the heart of our town’s future prosperity, and we will not allow retail crime to undermine that.
“The impact on shop owners, staff and shoppers is unacceptable. We remain absolutely determined to crack down on those responsible, protect our retailers and ensure a safe working environment for their staff.
“I would encourage the residents of Hartlepool to join us for this event, to get an update on what’s being done and to put their own questions to the member organisations of the SHP.”
Councillor Owen Riddle, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Neighbourhoods and Regulatory Services Committee, said: “We are committed to doing everything we can to help businesses in Hartlepool to flourish and grow.
“Retail crime is a blight on that and together with our SHP partners we will not rest in our determination to stamp it out and send the strongest possible message that it has absolutely no place in Hartlepool.
“I very much hope people will come along to, and take part in, the Face The Public event.”