Retailers are being urged to contact their local Police and Crime Commissioner candidates before next month’s election.

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has created a pro forma letter and brief for retailers to highlight the impact of crime on their businesses.

The Police and Crime Commissioner elections will take place in 43 constituencies across England and Wales on November 15. The Commissioners will be responsible for tackling crime in their area, including crime that affects local shops such as shoplifting, verbal abuse and the sale of age-restricted products.

“Police and Crime Commissioners represent the biggest change in policing in a generation and retailers need to get retail crime on the agenda,” said ACS chief executive James Lowman. “PCCs first role will be to develop Police and Crime Plans setting out priority issues and retail crime needs to be high on that list.”

Retailers can download the pro forma letter from the ACS website and find out about candidates in their area here.