Don’t let thieves ruin Christmas Plea from cops as shoppers hit the town
Police in Paisley have warned festive shoppers and business owners to guard against callous thieves intent on ruining Christmas.
Detectives say the number of robberies and break-ins spike at this time of year as opportunist crooks target bumper takings from shops.
Extra patrols will be put in place across town centres and officers plan to meet with traders to offer safety advice as the festive season approaches.
Detective Inspector Ross MacDonald, of Paisley CID, warned people to avoid carrying large sums of cash around with them and remain vigilant.
He told the Express: “We generally notice a spike in robbery crime in the Renfrewshire area over the festive period, which is likely caused by opportunist individuals committing street robberies and taking advantage of more people carrying larger amounts of cash during Christmas shopping.
“We also notice an increased risk to commercial premises robberies with retailers taking in increased monies due to increased festive sales.
“I would like to highlight to the public of the increased risk over the festive period, and ask them to be cautious and vigilant, not to carry significant amounts of money around with them and to take particular care when withdrawing money at ATMs, particularly the elderly members of the community.
DI MacDonald also urged people to be vigilant when lifting cash from bank machines.
He added: “Give consideration to withdrawing money in populated streets in daylight hours whilst accompanied by someone, and near to premises covered with CCTV.
“I would also ask staff and owners of local commercial premises to beware of any suspicious people loitering outside their premises, typically in the last hour of trading when they may be vulnerable with money within usually at its highest point, and to pro-actively contact police if they have any concerns over such individuals.
“Local officers will be engaging commercial businesses with safety advice during police visits throughout the festive period, and patrolling in the Renfrewshire town centre area’s for public reassurance and to act as a deterrent to opportunist thieves.”
Last week a 27-year-old man was remanded in custody over the alleged knifepoint robbery of a 14-year-old boy in Paisley.