Cops’ concern over store’s winetower bid

tower” in its wine display area.

He said there had been 15 cases of alcohol being stolen in 2018 and this year, up to July 30, there had been a further 15 cases.

“These figures are excessive and have given police cause for concern,” said CS McLoughlin. “As a result officers from community policing teams and also officers from the Forth Valley licensing team engaged with the designated premises manager at the Waitrose store providing advice on how to prevent thefts of alcohol including constant monitoring of the area by staff and retaining staff in relation to recognising and dealing with suspicious persons within the store.

“It was also suggested that the layout could be changed to bring the alcohol closer to the front of the store where it could be more easily monitored by checkout staff.

“The DPM was generally cooperative with police, agreed to retrain staff and ensure the alcohol area was constantly monitored.

“However, he explained that re-location of the alcohol would not be an option due to financial constraints and the layout plan being set by head office. It was agreed that the situation would be monitored meantime.”

In an update, CS McLoughlin said there had been three more cases between August 8 and September 13 and a police licensing sergeant and a community police officer had met with representatives at the store on September 2.

In a letter tabled at the board’s meeting at the end of October, when the application was discussed again, the police area commander added: “The issue around persons not being challenged at the time was discussed and staff explained that company policy was that only managers were permitted to approach persons suspected of stealing items. Sometimes by the time the store manager is aware it is too late and the person has left the store.

“In terms of security guards it was explained to police that Stirling was a low risk premises in comparison to some other areas and did not justify having a security guard to prevent the thefts.

“In terms of prevention the compliance manager suggested increasing the security bottle caps on items, reducing the amount of products on the shelves. Advice was given in relation to educating staff on the shop floor in relation to known shoplifters, how to recognise a potential shoplifter and preventing them stealing items in the first place.” CS McLoughlin, however, admitted to the board that while the issues with shoplifting could be measured, it was harder to provide figures for how much work was being done in store to deter thieves.

“Staff members who work in the store stated that they do deter the majority of shoplifters and it is appreciated that the police cannot quantify the good work carried out by the store,” he added.

“The premises have been fully cooperative in communicating with the police, but in the opinion of Police Scotland the wider company policies which affect the alcohol location, deployment or otherwise of security guards and the methods of dealing with shoplifters in store have meant that the shopliftings of alcohol continue and to add capacity to the alcohol area is inappropriate at this time when taking in to consideration the ‘preventing crime and disorder’ licensing objective.”

Waitrose was asked for comment but hadn’t responded at the time of going to press.