Councillors commit £50,000 to improve shopkeepers’ security following murder of Gurmail Singh

SHOPKEEPERS will get extra help following the killing of Gurmail Singh.

Councillors last night agreed to invest £50,000 to improve the security of small shops.

Kirklees Council’s Cabinet backed a plan from the Small Retailers Taskforce, which was set up after Mr Singh was killed at Cowcliffe Convenience Stores in February.

Cabinet member for adults and communities Clr Peter O’Neill said: “Following the tragic murder of Gurmail Singh an action plan has been developed including a telephone hotline for shopkeepers to report minor thefts, extra police patrols and more CCTV.”

The Cabinet also agreed two other spending proposals aimed at improving safety.

Kirklees will fund two probation officers to work with prisoners who have drink problems. The programme will cost £125,000.

Clr O’Neill said: “Alcohol is the bane of modern society and costs the country up to £25bn a year.”

The Cabinet also agreed to recruit two case-workers to help prisoners released after short sentences. Currently people who serve less than a year receive no probation support when they get out.

The programme will cost £80,000.