City police head to the shops

City shoppers stepping out to grab a lunchtime sandwich will have the chance to speak to their local police force, after City of London Police set up a community policing surgery in a Tesco store.

Officers from Wards Policing will be at the supermarket every weekday to listen to community concerns and offer crime prevention and safety advice. The police presence will also discourage shoplifters.

City of London Police's community includes the 300,000 commuters who come to work in the Square Mile every day – many of whom are among the 75,000 people passing through the Bishopsgate branch Tesco store every week.

Sgt Matt Mountford from City of London Police's Wards Policing team organised the scheme: "Sometimes it can prove difficult to engage with our working community, but this gives us the opportunity to meet a large number of them. We will be there at the busiest times of the day, speaking with people, providing crime prevention advice and establishing any community concerns. And our presence will no doubt deter shoplifters too.

"It is another place where the community can meet their police force and have confidence in the work we are doing to keep the City safe."
 
Sgt Mountford added that the project had the potential to grow, with discussions already underway with other shopping chains in the City.

David Reed is Bishopsgate Tesco's store manager: "For us this is about building a lasting partnership with the police, both to provide a safe environment for our customers and staff and to play as active role in the community"

The scheme will be run in conjunction with the Safer City Partnership.