CEO wins award for helping catch shoplifter

A civil enforcement officer (CEO) working for Fareham Borough Council has been praised for helping police catch a shoplifting suspect.

The council’s community safety partnership recognised the assistance of Stuart Lancaster in the arrest of the alleged thief. The CEO was carrying out his duties when a lone police officer requested his help. The police officer was already dealing with one suspect when the other ran off.

Lancaster followed the other suspect through Fareham town centre and was in constant contact with Hampshire Police by mobile phone giving updates about the suspect’s location, until the police arrived and arrested the suspect. The entire incident was captured on Lancaster’s body worn CCTV camera.

Lancaster has been a CEO for four years. He said that he enjoys his role as no two days are ever the same, and that he enjoys challenges, especially of aiding the police in the arrest of the suspect. Kevin Wright, Fareham head of community safety and enforcement, said CEOs are all aware of how they contribute to making Fareham a safer place to live, work and visit. “They are all encouraged through the council’s ‘eyes and ears’ initiative to report any issues of concern whilst undertaking their normal day to day duties.

“In this particular case, Stuart was on the scene and assisted the police in making a successful arrest.”

Lancaster received the award from the Mayor of Fareham, Councillor Brian Bayford, at the annual Police Borough Commanders awards ceremony held in December.