Uniformed police officer's “fake theft” tactic - Sgt Ian Rowing says officers should “steal” from Church Street shoppers

Published: 25 March 2011
by JOSH LOEB

A POLICE sergeant who has been carrying out regular “thefts” while patrolling Church Street in full uniform has said that the approach plays a vital role in helping to reduce crime.

Sergeant Ian Rowing said he has told officers to “steal” from shoppers in the Marylebone market “if the opportunity presents itself”.

The aim was to “make a gentle point” about not leaving belongings unattended.

“We only do this in uniform,” he said. “We might see some property which is vulnerable, the obvious example is two people sat in a café with a mobile phone on the table. I may well go up and take the mobile and make as if to run away before giving it back. The idea is to make a gentle point in a relaxed, non-threatening way.”

Sgt Rowing said police had been using the “fake theft” tactic to educate the public about crime for four years 

Police statistics show Church Street is a hotspot for pickpocketing and similar incidents. 

A report to the latest police consultative committee stated: “Theft of property from the person on Church Street amounts to about one offence every eight days. 

“More common is the theft of property when the owner is nearby, typically a mobile from a cafe tabletop, a bag from the market while the owner is examining merchandise etcetera. We get about two of these offences every five days.”