Alex was invited by the John Lewis Partnership to visit its Cheltenham branch.
They discussed the Home Office's Retail Crime Action Plan, which includes a police commitment to prioritise attending the scene of shoplifting, in particular where security guards have detained an offender. Alex also discussed the Government's plans to make assaulting a retail worker a specific offence.
Alex later joined Gloucestershire Police on patrol in the High Street to see first hand the important work they are doing, including successfully applying for 'criminal behaviour orders' in respect of prolific offenders.
These orders include exclusion zones banning them from the High Street or even certain shops. Breach carries a potential five-year prison sentence.