10:12am Friday 6th February 2004
By Times reporter
A WOULD be shoplifter got more than he bargained for in Richmond last Thursday thanks to the work of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and the retail radio-link network'.
A security guard in the HMV store on George Street spotted a male acting suspiciously and closer examination found the security tag had been removed from an item he was holding. Before the security guard could act the male had left the shop and entered Boots, so he used the retail radio system to alert Boots and a PCSO.
The PCSO subsequently detained the male, leading to his arrest by a police officer who conveyed him to Richmond Police Station, where he gave false details. But checks found he was Kenneth Brian Lewis, a 31-year-old wanted as a result of a Home Office Order of Recall to Prison, having had his driving licence revoked. Lewis was subsequently taken to Wandsworth Prison. Superintendent Chris Channer said: "This is not the first time PCSOs and the radio link have combined to apprehend offenders. I arrested someone last year when PCSOs circulated a description of someone involved in a similar theft, this was also at HMV in Richmond.
"The combination of a visible police presence in the form of PCSOs and the ability of retailers to speak directly to them through radio link is very effective. I would encourage other shops to purchase this system, it will increase staff safety and make Richmond far less attractive to thieves."
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