Officer takes up new role to reduce town centre crime

Mon 8th February 2010 3.55PM

TO RAISE the profile of the police and tackle retail related crime in Ipswich town centre, Suffolk Constabulary has appointed PC Charly Lingwood as its first Retail / Business Commerce Officer. Working with partners, Ipswich Borough Council, retailers and shoppers PC Lingwood’s first initiative, Operation Dabble, targeted purse theft. Officers were deployed in plain clothes on foot in the town centre to respond to incidents of purse thefts. Advice was given to victims, shoppers and shop owners and CCTV in the town centre and Townlink radio was used to gather intelligence.

PC Lingwood said: “I am very excited about this new role and think it will bring an important new aspect to the Constabulary’s commitment to crime reduction. I’m looking forward to developing relationships with business owners in Ipswich, increasing their confidence in the service we provide, and giving them support and advice on tackling any crimes they experience. “I will be visible and accessible to the public and the business community. I intend to carry out some high visibility work and am pleased that Marks and Spencer and Virgo will be allowing me to have a stand in their stores. This will enable me to engage with the public and distribute crime prevention leaflets and purse chains.

I would encourage anyone who sees me on duty in the town centre, to come and speak to me and discuss any concerns they have over crime issues.” PC Lingwood, aged 35, has many plans for the new role, including offering statement training for store staff, addressing the issue of peddlers, beggars and rough sleepers within the town centre, building links with Street Rangers, and coordinating the access of contractors in the town centre at busy periods. After joining Suffolk Constabulary in January 2003, PC Lingwood worked on the Felixstowe Response Team for six years and the Ipswich Response Team for one year.

Prior to working for the Constabulary, she was a self employed accountant while studying for a law degree, something she continues to study for.