New security measures to stop tobacco thefts
New security measures are being brought in at Co-ops around the Black County to stop thefts of cigarettes and tobacco.
Bosses at the Midcounties Co-operative are taking action after their stores became regular targets for shoplifters and armed raiders.
The new crackdown will see a distinctive mark added to cigarette and tobacco packets at shops around the region, including Dudley, Wolverhampton and Walsall.
The scheme - backed by West Midlands Police - will work alongside existing measures, such as electronic tags and alarms, to deter thieves from stealing the products and discourage people from buying cigarettes from suspicious sources.
Each participating store will place security notices on their entrance doors and at cigarette kiosks to make shoppers aware.
Shop thefts account for 52 per cent of all retail crime in the UK and this criminal activity costs convenience stores £44 million every year.
See also: Two held over raids on Co-ops after dramatic roof-top arrest.
Wendy Moore, loss prevention manager at The Midcounties Co-operative, said: "Product thefts are a real challenge for all retailers and as a responsible society we are always looking for ways to help keep the communities in which we trade safe.
"Cigarettes and tobacco are very saleable items that are valuable to thieves. By working with the local police force and marking these goods at our stores, we hope to have a significant affect on criminal activity and encourage local people to think twice before buying stolen goods."
Superintendent Keith Fraser, retail crime lead for the police, added: "Retail crime is a priority for West Midlands Police, we are keen to support retailers and businesses who try to prevent the harm that crime causes.
"This crime impacts adversely on our communities, businesses and the health of people. This is an excellent idea by The Midcounties Co-operative to remove temptation from potential thieves."
There have been a spate of convenience stores raided in the region within the last year specifically for their cigarettes.
Police have been called to robberies at One Stop in Prestwood Road, Wolverhampton; Co-op in Dudley Road West, Tividale, and Spar in Russells Hall Road, Dudley.
There were also cigarette raids reported at Shell petrol station in Sedgley Road, Woodsetton; Tesco petrol stations in Cradley Heath and West Bromwich; and the Tesco Express store in Hurst Hill, Coseley.
Further robberies also took place at Murco petrol station in Netherton, a convenience store in Wombourne, and the One Stop Shop in Ashmore Park.
