CCTV helps catch shop lifter
Shoplifters will have a hard time stealing from Life Pharmacy in Matamata thanks to a new high-tech CCTV system which has already helped police make an arrest.
Life Pharmacy Matamata owner Peter McSweeney is happy after the store’s CCTV investment caught a crystal-clear image of a shoplifter, who repeatedly stole expensive products.
The image was passed on to police who were able to use it to identify and apprehend the thief.
‘‘We knew we were being hit repeatedly, stock was just going missing,’’ says McSweeney.
’’Recently we invested in a state-of-the-art security system, we got excellent footage.We rang the police to say we had been hit several times by shoplifters. The police were excellent, not only did they make the time to come see us, but they got the guy and arrested him.
‘‘It’s [theft] a huge problem everywhere and everyone pays for it. Shoplifters need to understand they don’t just have a free ride, there are shops with excellent security systems. The footage these cameras get is excellent.’’
McSweeney says the shoplifter repeatedly went after top-quality perfumes, losing the business hundreds of dollars in profit.
Matamata-Piako prevention supervisor Blair Hayde says this incident goes to show the ability of quality CCTV.
‘‘They have very good quality and well placed cameras at Life Pharmacy. This not only helps in apprehending offenders but now will act as a deterrent to this male and his associates.’’
Hayde says a member of the community reported a suspicious man at a daycare centre and a police patrol was dispatched.
The man was new to the area and once details were obtained, he was recognised as the person in the CCTV image from the pharmacy.
‘‘Target hardening is a phrase well used in crime prevention,’’ says Hayde.
‘‘It works best when police and the community work together as displayed in this case.
‘‘Three key areas came into play, target hardening by Life Pharmacy, an active community member who reported something out of place and timely response by well informed police.
‘‘We are hoping this will send a clear message to anyone who thinks they can come to our area and help themselves, that it will be meet with a strong response from the community.’’