Co-op issues warning to crooks amid extra security measures

Central England Co-op, which has more than 260 food stores and petrol stations, revealed it was working closely with police forces in 16 counties to let it be known that any crime from burglaries to violence and aggression towards staff would ‘not be tolerated’.

The company is working hard to keep stores open and provide access to vital supplies during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Measures being put in place include an additional 150 security guards to ensure shoppers are safe and adhere to social distancing.

Craig Goldie, loss prevention manager, said: “We want to send a message out to anyone who might consider targeting our stores at this time – it is not worth the risk and no crime will be tolerated.

“We want to reiterate our plea to treat our colleagues with care, compassion and respect as they work around the clock for our communities.

“We want people to ask themselves whether they would like their relatives to be confronted by someone in a violent or aggressive way – the answer is no and therefore why should our colleagues or anyone who works in retail have to even consider facing up to this kind of behaviour.”

Other new crime prevention measures include CCTV system which allows colleagues to call for assistance at the touch of a button. This sits alongside product GPS trackers, additional ATM anchors and cash controls to limit the amount of money at each store to very low levels.