Gloucester's new City Protection Officers (CPOs) are proving their worth after just a month on the beat, dealing with everything from shoplifting to finding lost children.

Formed and funded as part of the Gloucester Business Improvement District (BID), the new officers have helped towards significant reductions in shoplifting, antisocial behaviour and litter, among other areas.

They have also been working with Gloucester City Safe to ensure businesses are protected by the scheme, whether it is issuing yellow cards or dealing with exclusions and Criminal Behaviour Orders for persistent offenders.

City councillor Richard Cook, cabinet member for the environment, said: "The very presence of the CPOs is helping make great strides towards the council's promise to provide a safer and cleaner city.

"Initial indications show that the amount of litter has fallen by up to two thirds, the incidence of shoplifting has been dramatically reduced, and many other incidents are dealt with daily by this excellent team."

Gloucester City Safe manager Rich Burge said both businesses and members of the public were feeling safer thanks to the CPO's uniformed presence on the city streets.

"They have completed four weeks of patrols in the city and I am delighted with the impact they have had in such a short space of time. They are now being recognised by businesses and the public and we are receiving lots of positive feedback about their presence and activities.

"In addition to their patrols, the CPOs have visited over 220 Businesses to explain their role and to deliver their business cards with contact details, responded to 91 requests for assistance and issued 14 City Safe yellow card warnings.

"They have also dealt with shoplifters and helped recover more than £1,000 worth of stolen goods. They are the eyes and ears of the council and are working with contractors to ensure the streets are kept clean, tidy and rubbish free.

"They have also been engaging with charity collectors, street traders and buskers to ensure they are complying with the law and the council's policies, and their presence and activities are not detrimental to the city and all those using it."

Kieron Bates, a member of the Gloucester BID board, said: "It has been brilliant to see the CPOs moving around the city showing a welcoming presence and helping out anyone in distress as well as reporting anti-social behaviour and unnecessary litter in the city."

The CPOs are organised and funded by Gloucester BID - made up of nearly 600 businesses in the city centre and docks - with support from the Police and Crime Commissioner's office and the city council.

Picture: CPOs on the streets of Gloucester