A SPECIAL Shop Watch scheme has been set up to help create a safer environment for customers and staff in a number of Rossendale food stores.

Officers from Lancashire Constabulary and Rossendale Council are working closely with staff from The Co-operative Food stores, in Haslingden, Whitworth, Bacup, and Waterfoot.

The scheme, designed to reduce and prevent crime, has been introduced after an increase in thefts across the supermarket chain.

Rossendale’s crime prevention officer PC Phil Buck said: “Shoplifting, theft, robbery and other crimes can have a really detrimental effect on a business, so the Shop Watch charter has been drawn up to prevent such incidents, and to catch those responsible quickly when a crime does occur.

“Customers should feel safe when they are shopping, and staff have the right to feel confident as they go about their work.

"Shop Watch will help achieve this.”

The Shop Watch scheme will see regular meetings between police and staff to implement measures that will help reduce the risk of robbery, theft, and anti-social behaviour in stores.

A number of signs will also be on display, highlighting the work of the Shop Watch scheme, and acting as a warning to criminals.

Bridget Goldie, area loss prevention manager for The Co-operative Food, said: “As a community retailer we are committed to helping reduce crime and anti-social behaviour across the local area.

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Steve Jackson, head of health, housing and regeneration at Rossendale Council, said: “Not only does Shop Watch support employers in protecting their staff against retail crime, it provides a degree of comfort to our community and the resid-ents who shop there.”