Oswestry 'rangers' start work to cut shoplifting

Adele Nightingale (third left) and assistant BID manager Lindsey Pierce pictured with police officers and street rangers Chris (left) and Dylan

Two "street rangers" have started work to help tackle shoplifting and anti-social behaviour in a Shropshire town.

Chris and Dylan are to help target a crime spike in Oswestry, Shropshire, according to the town centre's Business Improvement District (BID).

Bid manager Adele Nightingale said: "Mainly they are there to be a visible presence and a support to the businesses."

She added traders were "losing thousands of pounds a week".

The move was inspired by similar initiatives around the country, with cues taken from business owners in Shrewsbury where a scheme was set up a year ago.

'Desperate measures'

"We do have regular shop lifters that are kind of known to the police and our businesses and also some anti-social behaviour. I don't think Oswestry is special in that," Ms Nightingale said.

"I think there has been an increase across the country - obviously the economic climate is driving people to more desperate measures."

The team, which includes two back-up rangers covering days off, has been funded by the BID.

It is also part of Shopwatch, a scheme where police and traders work together to tackle concerns.

The uniformed rangers will support patrols by West Mercia Police and have been trained in areas including first aid, conflict resolution and to help understand dementia.

"The training has been key and we see them as that role between the businesses and the police," Ms Nightingale explained.

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