‘Recipe for disaster’, Morrisons customers outraged after ‘lazy’ police install terminals in stores to report crimes
COPS have been branded ‘lazy’ after Morrisons stores started installing touchscreens to help clock more crime.
The state-of-the-art devices are being rolled out in supermarkets across Bedfordshire – starting in Shefford – in a bid to improve reporting rates.
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The force plans to install more terminals in Leighton Buzzard, Houghton Regis and Bedford, a spokesperson told The Sun.
Shoppers will also have access to non-emergency police services including reporting an incident, victim care support and submitting inquiries and feedback.
It is hoped that the partnership will improve accessibility to police and support services.
However, there is negativity online, with some people joking that shoppers should be paid for this.
One said: “Sounds like a recipe for evil deeds and pranksters to just waste everyone’s time.”
Another said: “So you have people openly betraying people for all to see. I can see where this is going.”
A third said: “I think it’s a local Police A station with officers in it would work a lot better. Broken Britain.”
A fourth said: “Is this like self-service checkouts? And if this is the police’s way of gaining the public’s trust, how about going out into the community, showing your face and working with the public and not treating them all like criminals?
“It is called hearts and ghosts, today’s police force is just as broken this country.”
A fifth added: “The police need to do their own job… and want people to be taken care of.”
Another said: ‘You can report crime. Unless it’s put on a plate, the police don’t do anything.”
One commenter asked, “Are we getting paid? Might as well be doing their job.”
Another joked: “Is it called the snitch-omatic?”
And another added: “What a waste of it money. The police must be on the streets. Lazy.”
Graham Wynn, deputy director of business regulation at the BRC, told The Sun: “Stealing – no matter how small – is not a victimless crime.
‘The £1.8 billion lost each year to shoplifting would be better spent investing in lower prices and better service for customers.
“Meanwhile, retailers are forced to spend a further £1.2 billion a year on anti-crime measures such as CCTV, security staff, security tags and other anti-theft equipment.
“More police action is needed because without an effective deterrent, criminals will continue to steal with impunity.”
Phil Eaton, project manager at the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner said: “We have seen positive uptake of the terminals in the city universities and have since installed one at Caddington Community Centre, following feedback from residents who wanted other ways to access police services.”
Carl Probert, Morrisons Corporate Protection Manager said: “This is a collaborative approach where Morrisons helps Bedfordshire Police report and reduce crime in the local community.
“We fully support the plan and are pleased with its initial success.”
Mr Akinbusoye said: “I am very pleased with this partnership agreement with Morrisons.
“We tackle community challenges by continually looking for ways to improve access to police services for our residents, so having these terminals in local Morrisons stores is a welcome addition and start.
“I want to make sure we take advantage of this technology to make the police work better for the local population, and I expect further options, such as getting updates on reported crimes and making a victim portal available in the near future. future.”