A DEDICATED Malvern police officer has been honoured with a special award for delivering ground-breaking technology to help tackle worrying levels of shoplifting in the town.
PSCO Lisa Freeman was given the award by West Mercia Police Chief Constable David Shaw after spending months of hard work developing the town’s Facewatch scheme to benefit angry and frustrated shop owners who had fallen victim to raiders.
Facewatch provides an online portal for police and businesses to work together to reduce criminal activity.
The national scheme was piloted in Malvern last year in a bid to fend off shoplifters and has been hailed a huge success within the community.
It gives shop owners the chance to share images of shoplifters online and quickly submit digital evidence to the police to help solve crimes.
It means the process for an officer to attend and investigate a theft takes just seconds rather than the ten days it would sometimes normally take for an officer to go out to a theft.
Lisa’s determination to protect retailers was praised by the top brass.
A statement read: “Lisa was very flexible in her approach and was willing to change her working pattern, often at short notice, to ensure this project was a success.
“She has demonstrated a commitment over and above her role to ensuring that the scheme is a success within the community, actively encouraging a partnership approach to tackling retail crime.”
Following its success, Lisa has now been tasked with assisting the setting up of Facewatch schemes in other areas across West Mercia and Warwickshire, preparing information to her colleagues to make the process easier.
And she is taking part in a BBC documentary about Facewatch and its use.
The Facewatch scheme in Malvern has seen a number of shoplifters identified and dealt with.
In October last year a persistent shoplifter was jailed for four months after being brought to justice by the revolutionary new technology.
The man, who lived in Malvern at the time, was sentenced after pleading guilty to 20 offences between June and September in Malvern, Worcester and Upton-upon-Severn.
His image posted on Facewatch, in a gallery of people suspected of stealing from shops and within a short period of time other retailers on the local group were aware of his activities and the methods and tactics he was using. It also showed the type of clothing he wore.
PSCO Freeman was one of a number of officers in South Worcestershire to be handed special awards.
Supet Kevin Purcell said: “It’s brilliant to see so many officers being awarded tonight.
“They represent the hard work and tenacity that is characteristic of officers in Worcestershire and across the alliance as a whole.
“I’m extremely proud of the officers and want to congratulate them on their achievements.”
