Operation Tranquillity tackles abusive customers

A new initiative to protect shop and pub staff from verbal and physical abuse is launched in Leamington Spa this week.

Operation Tranquillity is a joint project spearheaded by Leamington's town centre policing team with the support of Warwickshire Retail Crime Initiative and Warwick District Council.

Tranquillity spells out a clear message from police to retailers and pub staff: Don't tolerate individuals who cause distress through abuse and harassment. Action can be taken.

Police are concerned that incidents of verbal and physical abuse or persistent shoplifting are not reported because staff feel the authorities have few powers to tackle the problem.

Operation Tranquillity incident forms have been made for staff to fill in describing details of the incident and descriptions of those involved.

These can be used as evidence for anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs), exclusion orders or to ensure individuals are banned from pubs and clubs and shops where they are harassing staff and behaving anti-socially.

Victims can give information and remain anonymous.

PC Dave James, Leamington Town Centre Beat Manager said: We intend to target individuals who are persistently causing fear and alarm through their behaviour. This could be physical or verbal abuse.

PC James worked in retailing for five years before joining the police service. He has experience of the problems encountered by shop staff.

He added: A small number of people are responsible for the type of anti-social behaviour which disrupts people's working lives. This need not be tolerated, we can take action. We do need evidence though and we are asking shop and pub staff to help us to help them.

Paul Haynes, Leamington Town Centre Manager commented: We are keen to make the public aware that anti-social behaviour is unacceptable. Shop and bar staff should not have to put up with it and this Police campaign will help prevent such unacceptable behaviour