Police chief out on patrol as part of new anti-shoplifting campaign

Dave Jones joined officers in the city centre yesterday with a high-visibility patrol to deter thieves and reassure the public as the number of shoppers increases in the run up to Christmas.

As well as high-visibility officers, the initiative - called Operation Juniper - will also see plain clothed police officers on patrol throughout the city to monitor thieves and shopper safety.

Mr Jones said: "We're targeting shoplifters and creating a safe environment in the city for people to shop and socialise.

"We're looking out for pickpockets and beggars as there's always a rise at this time of year - it's an opportunity for them to take advantage of people who are focused on Christmas shopping and fill their own criminal habits. The cycle unit and plain clothed officers will also be out in the city in quite a substantial increase in the number of officers during this period."

The Chief Constable walked patrols in the city centre with Acting Sergeant Nick Plumb, while officers were also based at the outlets and retail parks outside the city.

Mr Jones said the extra resources will be out regularly between now and the New Year, while the numbers of shoppers remain high, and would be focusing on different areas each day, as and when new information became available.

He said: "We deploy based on intelligence and information so if there are issues of concern, we we work very closely with retailers on the business crime initiative and will focus on where the issues are."

Acting Inspector Andy Godfrey said Operation Juniper would also see police Automatic Numberplate Recognition (ANPR) teams, monitoring the routes into York on the lookout for travelling criminals.

He said: "Hopefully that will give us a heads up if anyone we know of is coming into the city.

"The demographic has changed slightly, as we've got the Vangarde Centre which wasn't there last year, so things will be different, but looking at the sites at least we have a starter for ten."