Lion Walk shopping centre to feature in Channel 4 TV show (From Essex County Standard)

Lion Walk shopping centre to feature in Channel 4 TV show

4:21pm Wednesday 12th September 2012 in News By Ryan Jennings

COLCHESTER’S Lion Walk shopping centre is set to feature in a Channel 4 documentary because of its successful fight against shoplifters.

Film crews will spend time with Essex Police officers and CCTV operators in Lion Walk and Culver Square, in the run up to Christmas.

The programme will be made by RDF productions, which is behind hit series the Secret Millionaire, Shipwrecked and Emergency Bikers. Shops in Lion Walk are members of Colchester Businesses Against Crime, which coordinates an information system allowing traders to share details about prolific thieves. Information is also relayed between traders by Town Link radio.

Paul Bentham, manager at Lion Walk, said: “There is quite a prolific problem with shoplifting in Colchester.

“Stores selling high value smaller goods are often targeted.

“People will see how we work together.

“The hope is not just the good guys will watch the show.

“I hope it will reach the would-be shoplifters too, so they know we’re watching.”

If someone is caught shoplifting or misbehaving by a Colchester Businesses Against Crime member, they are given a warning letter that says if their behaviour continues they will be banned from members’ shops.

A Colbac spokeswoman said: “Every member knows what is going on and where something is going on. “Everyone is in the loop.”

Colbac had a recent success when prolific shoplifter Victoria Pickford, 18, of Alexandra Road, Colchester, was given a two-year Asbo banning her from Colchester town centre.