To tackle the scourge of shoplifting, Alex has helped introduce in Parliament the Shoplifting Action Plan.
This new approach includes a police commitment to prioritise attending the scene of shoplifting where security guards have detained an offender.
Alex joined Gloucestershire Police on a retail crime patrol in Cheltenham to see first hand the important work Gloucestershire Police are doing to target prolific offenders.
Alex spoke to staff in John Lewis, JD Sports and Boots, and heard how prolific local offenders are being given 'criminal behaviour orders' with exclusion zones banning them from the High Street or even certain shops. Their whereabouts can then be monitored through GPS tags that will alert the police if they breach the terms of the order. That in turn can lead to a prison sentence.
In addition, those released from prison following a sentence for theft, burglary or robbery can now be tagged by probation staff to keep a much closer eye on the whereabouts of offenders under their supervision. If a burglary takes place, the police can easily establish if a known offender was nearby.
The plan is working, with Gloucestershire Police stating that shoplifting is coming down following an intensive targeted operation against well-known shoplifters.