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Anti-crime pods help reduce theft, says shop owner

Bethany Gwilliam
BBC News, Northamptonshire
Northants PFCC Julie Teckman is photographed standing at a shop till, smiling at the camera. She is wearing a red knitted jumper with a black, hooded bodywarmer. She is stood in front of a cream coloured wall with a big brown sign above her head saying "Guru". Northants PFCC
Vintage Guru is an emporium containing various independent traders

A shop owner said a new anti-crime kit that resembles a Dalek has reduced shoplifting in a town centre.

Vintage Guru, in Northampton, was given two Safer Pod systems, which monitor activity in a store with a floor-based CCTV system.

The devices were provided by the office of Danielle Stone, Northamptonshire's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, as part of a pilot scheme to prevent retail crime.

Julie Teckman, the owner of Vintage Guru, said: "We've had them since early December and they have reduced the amount of opportunist theft in the shop."

Northants PFCC A black tall object in a shop surrounded by clothes and things. The object is called a Pod and has police white and black tape down the side of it. It is a three layer pod. The bottom layer as white writing saying safer pod. The second layer has a black square in the middle and the top layer has a white long light.Northants PFCC
The Safer Pod trial has been arranged by the office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner

Ms Teckman described the new safety pods as looking similar to a Dalek from Doctor Who.

"They are quite big and noticeable, which you need so people know they are being watched.

"It's more about feeling like there is something helping you prevent crime as a lot of our time is taken up watching out for shoplifters and stopping people from thieving.

"We have had to employ more staff and install cameras due to crime, so it is nice having the support of the pods."

Northants PFCC Danielle Stone and Julie Teckman look and talk to each other. The one on the left has short white hair and glasses. She is wearing a black dress and black blazer. The women on the right has brown curly, shoulder length hair. She is wearing a red knitted jumper and black bodywarmer.Northants PFCC
The scheme was started by Danielle Stone to reduce retail crime

Ms Teckman was part of a roundtable to discuss retail crime last year, which was hosted by the Northamptonshire police, fire and crime commissioner.

The conference, which was attended by officers from Northamptonshire Police Retail Crime Team and other business groups, discussed technological solutions that were available to prevent retail crime.

Stone said: "Retailers and small businesses are an essential part of our community and make a massive contribution to the prosperity and vitality of our towns.

"I'm determined to do all I can to work with partners to cut retail crime.

"Our Retail Crime Partnership is already proving to be effective in bringing partners together and taking action to protect businesses."

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