The Fed has welcomed action by Devon and Cornwall’s police and crime commissioner after it responded to its concerns about retail crime. 

In a letter to national president Jason Birks, PCC Alison Hernandez set out the steps it is taking to tackle the problem across four main areas. 

She highlighted the link between retail crime and drug use, saying that she hoped Operation Scorpion, which brings police and other enforcement agencies together to tackle drug crime, would send a clear message. 

“I am hopeful that this crackdown will have a positive benefit to your members,” she said. 

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Hernandez also outlined how she was targeting violence in the night-time economy. As part of this, the force has invested £1m in a Preventing Serious Violence Programme to understand the drivers of violence and find ways of making communities safer. 

Another key area the force says it is focusing on is antisocial behaviour. “The links between these incidents and the impact on your membership is clear,” said Hernandez, adding it had commissioned a youth outreach service to divert antisocial behaviour. Hernandez added that the force had also invested heavily in CCTV. 

South West president Derek Cook said: “This is an encouraging letter. Alison has been proactive and works well with the resources she has.” 

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