Market traders impressed by Street Rangers' impact

Stall-holder Debbie Lovell said she had been assaulted at the market

Traders in Oswestry market have said the introduction of a Street Rangers scheme has made them feel more secure.

Two people were employed six months ago to patrol the town in Shropshire.

They are being paid for by Oswestry Business Improvement District (BID), a local business partnership.

The Office for National Statistics has reported shoplifting in the West Mercia Police area increased by 39% last year, and the BID group said it had been a growing problem in Oswestry too.

One trader, Debbie Lovell, said she had been assaulted at the market, but was reassured by the presence of the Street Rangers.

"They're always walking past keeping an eye out, so you do feel a bit safer now," she said.

"It really does make a difference, because people are always looking round."

Julie Dean has been impressed by the impact the rangers have had

Similar Street Rangers schemes have been introduced around the country.

The officers, and two back-up rangers covering days off, have been trained in areas including first aid, conflict resolution and to help understand dementia.

Julie Dean, runs the Ellesmere Honey Company and has a stall at the market too.

She approved of the Street Rangers scheme and said: "I think it has been a benefit, because it gives you more confidence in the area for the young and the elderly to come out shopping."

Pietro Facchini said the rangers were an effective deterrent

Pietro Facchini runs a cheese stall on the market and said he felt safer working in Shropshire than in London, where he used to live.

He said the rangers had been "quite a deterrent" and added: "You feel more secure, you got these two people coming over, they've got quite a presence."

Jamie Jones said it could be hard for some traders to keep an eye on their stock

Jamie Jones, who runs a stall selling brownies, said he was aware of traders on the market who had been the victim of shoplifters.

He said stall-holders with small, easily stolen items, "have to be very aware with what's going on".

"Especially at busy times where there's a lot of footfall, a lot of people speaking to you," he said.

"I think the Street Rangers are very good, they're always passing by, so I feel as if the presence is there."