Shoplifters told to ‘stay away’ from Hoole

May 27 2008 By Barry Ellams

WITH 18 arrests in one month, PCSO Keith Bartlett has cracked the problem of shoplifting in a Chester community.

Stores in Hoole, especially on Faulkner Street and Walker Street, have been faced with the constant problem of people stealing from their shelves.

But their police community support officer has fought back, getting police to arrest those he has spotted, and now he has a message for would-be thieves: "Stay away from Hoole – you will be identified."

Keith said: "We’ve had a lot of success against people because the store cameras are excellent and they pick up very good images.

"I’m an ex-store detective and it’s about knowing the faces. If they’re not from the area the images from the CCTV are passed out to other areas to get an identification."

One woman stealing from the Co-op store on Walker Street last Sunday was identified using colour CCTV and has now been arrested.

An old man stole Kitkats from the Faulkner Street store. Manager Shirley Wood said: "It was two or three Kitkats a day, seven days a week.

"Keith is the best PCSO I have ever dealt with. He goes out of his way to help – even off duty."

Issuing 13 parking tickets in 20 minutes, Keith is also battling illegal parking in Hoole.

Starting this week, he will be focusing on the problem in particular, especially around Faulkner Street, Derby Place and Westminster Road.