Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, is backing a new police initiative to crack down on shoplifting in Wrexham.
The Wrexham City Neighbourhood Policing Team will carry out Operation Blizzard over the next couple of months to support retailers who are targeted by shoplifting offences.
Mr Rowlands said:
As we head towards the busy festive season I welcome this timely initiative from North Wales Police and I am delighted to hear that dedicated officers will be on patrol around the city to support retailers.
Unfortunately retail crime appears to be on the increase, although it is great to hear from North Wales Police that offences have reduced in the city and I welcome news of a special operation being set up to target shoplifters.
Local shops do need the support of the police to help crack down on retail crime and increasing their visibility just might make some shoplifters think twice about committing a crime.
The Wrexham City Neighbourhood Policing Team will carry out Operation Blizzard over the next couple of months to support retailers who are targeted by shoplifting offences.
Dedicated officers will increase their visibility through carrying out proactive patrols around the city and at hotspot areas, both on foot and on bike in a bid to tackle and reduce business-related crime.
The operation will also see officers engaging with the community and talking to shop owners to better understand concerns around local retail crime, identify offenders and to offer crime prevention advice.
Wrexham City Inspector Heidi Stokes said:
Retail crime is a continuous demand within Wrexham city and our local officers are working every day with local businesses and partner organisations to quickly identify offenders and deal with them robustly.
This year-to-date, offences of retail theft have reduced in the city, which is reflective of the hard work officers and staff have put into combatting it.
In the weeks leading up to Christmas when retail theft can increase, Operation Blizzard aims to further support the retail sector by increasing visibility in the city and maintaining regular contact with retailers.
Shoplifting and retail theft is regarded as a victimless crime but is detrimental to local businesses. The impact is significant on staff, other customers who are present and the businesses themselves. Staff should also not have to go to work for fear of being subjected to abuse or threatening behaviour.
Sam Rowlands AS yn tynnu sylw at ymgyrch newydd i fynd i'r afael â throseddau manwerthu
Mae Sam Rowlands, yr Aelod o’r Senedd dros Ogledd Cymru, yn cefnogi menter newydd gan yr heddlu sy’n ceisio rhoi diwedd ar ddwyn o siopau yn Wrecsam.
Bydd Tîm Plismona Bro Dinas Wrecsam yn cynnal Ymgyrch Blizzard dros yr ychydig fisoedd nesaf i gefnogi manwerthwyr sy’n cael eu targedu gan droseddau dwyn o siopau.
Meddai Mr Rowlands:
Wrth i ni agosáu at dymor prysur yr ŵyl rwy'n croesawu'r fenter amserol hon gan Heddlu Gogledd Cymru ac rwy'n falch iawn o glywed y bydd swyddogion ymroddedig ar batrôl o amgylch y ddinas i gefnogi manwerthwyr.
Yn anffodus mae'n ymddangos bod troseddau manwerthu ar gynnydd, er ei bod yn wych clywed gan Heddlu Gogledd Cymru bod troseddau wedi lleihau yn y ddinas, rwy'n croesawu'r newyddion am ymgyrch arbennig sy'n cael ei sefydlu i dargedu lladron siopau.
Mae angen cefnogaeth yr heddlu ar siopau lleol i helpu i fynd i'r afael â throseddau manwerthu a gallai cynyddu pa mor weladwy ydyn nhw wneud i rai lladron feddwl ddwywaith cyn troseddu.
Bydd Tîm Plismona Bro Dinas Wrecsam yn cynnal Ymgyrch Blizzard dros yr ychydig fisoedd nesaf i gefnogi manwerthwyr sydd wedi'u targedu gan droseddau dwyn o siopau.
Bydd swyddogion ymroddedig yn cynyddu eu gwelededd trwy gynnal patrolau rhagweithiol o amgylch y ddinas ac mewn mannau sy’n profi tipyn o broblemau, a hynny ar droed ac ar feic mewn ymgais i fynd i'r afael â throseddau sy'n gysylltiedig â lleihau’r achosion.
Bydd yr ymgyrch hefyd yn gweld swyddogion yn ymgysylltu â'r gymuned ac yn siarad â pherchnogion siopau er mwyn ceisio deall yn well bryderon ynghylch troseddau manwerthu lleol, adnabod troseddwyr a chynnig cyngor ar atal trosedd.
Meddai Arolygydd Dinas Wrecsam, Heidi Stokes:
Mae troseddau manwerthu yn broblem barhaus yn ninas Wrecsam ac mae ein swyddogion lleol yn gweithio bob dydd gyda busnesau lleol a sefydliadau partner i adnabod troseddwyr yn gyflym a delio â nhw'n gadarn.
Eleni, mae troseddau dwyn o siopau wedi lleihau yn y ddinas, sy'n adlewyrchu'r gwaith caled y mae swyddogion a staff wedi'i wneud i fynd i’r afael â’r broblem.
Yn ystod yr wythnosau sy'n arwain at y Nadolig pan all dwyn o siopau gynyddu, nod Ymgyrch Blizzard yw cefnogi'r sector manwerthu ymhellach trwy gynyddu pa mor weladwy ydyn nhw yn y ddinas a chynnal cyswllt rheolaidd â manwerthwyr.
Mae dwyn o siopau a manwerthu yn cael ei ystyried yn drosedd ddi-ddioddefwr ond mae'n niweidiol i fusnesau lleol. Caiff effaith sylweddol ar staff, ar gwsmeriaid eraill sy'n bresennol ac ar y busnesau eu hunain. Ni ddylai staff orfod mynd i'r gwaith gan ofni cael eu cam-drin neu wynebu ymddygiad bygythiol.
