Police pick on the festive pickpockets (From Warrington Guardian)

Police pick on the festive pickpockets

WARRINGTON'S community police officers began conducting high-visibility patrols this week in an effort to crack down on Christmas crime.

Warrington's Community Action Teams (CATs) have been on the prowl, targeting pickpockets who prey on festive shoppers.

From Monday, officers stepped up patrols at shops to deter opportunist thieves and shoplifters and to provide a reassuring presence in the town centre.

CAT Inspector Brian Heywood said: "We want local residents to shop for their Christmas presents in safety, reassured by the knowledge that officers will be on hand should they need our assistance."

He added: "Pickpockets and shoplifters often hide among crowds of shoppers to avoid being seen, but our officers will be keeping an eye out and cracking down on this kind of festive crime."

CAT officers and Community Support Officers will conduct high visibility patrols in the town centre shopping areas during retail hours.

The patrols include late night shopping on Thursdays and will continue until the shops have closed on Christmas Eve.

Clr John Kerr-Brown, executive member for neighbourhood services, said: "The council fully supports the increased police presence in the town during the Christmas period.

"The town centre is a safe place for people to visit and the council works in partnership with other agencies to tackle town centre crime throughout the year.

"Therefore, we would always advise visitors to be vigilant not only at Christmas but all year round."

In addition to the patrols, Cheshire Police has teamed up with Warrington Borough Council to remind residents to think about how they dispose of their Christmas rubbish.

From next week, notices are being stuck to the lids of 82,000 rubbish bins across the borough to advise people not to advertise to thieves what they got for Christmas.

Clr Kerr-Brown said: "Leaving boxes by your bins gives opportunistic thieves a perfect way to know exactly what they might get their hands on by targeting your home.

"Dispose of your boxes carefully and make sure that your Christmas is a happy one - not one you remember for all the wrong reasons."

l For more advice on keeping safe this Christmas, see 999 on page 22.