National Police officers have activated the ‘Safe Commerce Plan’ in response to the increase in commercial activity expected during the Christmas holidays. The National Police said today that a special operation will be in place until 11 January to prevent an increase in criminal offences committed against retailers and the general public in retail areas. This morning, the plan was presented to representatives of the Pimem, Afedeco and Pimeco retail associations and Palma Local Police.
The National Police will establish a plan in the city of Palma with the aim of improving the prevention of criminal acts against shopkeepers and their potential customers, mainly theft, robbery with violence and intimidation, burglary and fraud. The operation will be carried out in two phases: The preliminary phase, initiated by officers from the National Police’s Citizen Participation Group, who have been interviewing shopkeepers in the city of Palma and meeting with the managers of large shopping centres, the presidents and directors of large trade associations and employers’ organisations, representatives of market traders’ associations and Palma City Council.
In this way, and through a direct two-way channel with police officers, they have gained first-hand knowledge of the problems and concerns of shopkeepers and citizens in the area of security in commercial activity during the Christmas holidays, with the aim of developing agile and effective responses in line with their needs.
On the other hand, retailers and trade associations are provided with preventive measures containing ‘safety recommendations and advice’ which are outlined in the ‘Safe Trade Guide’ in their leaflets.
The other phase, the operational phase, will involve daily police services during the busiest shopping hours and when there are the largest crowds, with both uniformed and plainclothes police patrols involving more than 400 officers.
Police work will be intensified in places where large crowds gather, especially in shopping and leisure areas, busy streets, Christmas markets and entertainment areas. Likewise, actions will be coordinated with the Palma Local Police, for which purpose as many meetings as necessary will be held, as well as with the collaboration of private security personnel.