A community first approach to tackling shoplifting

Last week the Office for National Statistics showed a worrying increase in shoplifting in Wiltshire over the past 12 months. However, I want to reassure the public that plans are in place to tackle the jump and improve our engagement with retailers. 

What must come first though is increased trust and confidence from retailers so we can ensure that every crime instance is being reported and we have an accurate picture of retail and business crime in Wiltshire. Once we reach this point, it’s likely that we will see a further increase in recorded shoplifting offences before the measures put in place start to drive them down.  

I met with local retailers in Warminster just last week and will continue to maintain that dialogue to ensure that the concerns of retailers are being addressed and that partners are working together to effectively address shoplifting and its drivers. 

I’ve also been on several walkabouts in Swindon Centre over the past few weeks, and retailers there have also told me of these same frustrations which are putting some smaller independent companies and charity shops out of business. 

During Business Crime Action Week last year my office, Wiltshire Police and The National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) held Safer Business Action (SaBA) days to support businesses and reduce crime, as well as holding targeted operations and interventions alongside public engagement activity to raise awareness of the growing problem. 

It’s important that shoplifting should not be dismissed as a victimless, lower-level crime as we’re seeing this increasing trend being used by organised crime groups to fuel criminality and the clear impact on retailers, employees and the wider community should not be understated. 

This impact is felt further when intimidation and threats of violence accompany shoplifting offences and both economic and physical harm is caused to those working in retail and business owners.  

I have and will continue to challenge Wiltshire Police to better tackle shoplifting and am pleased that a new business crime strategy has been developed which outlines a clear forward plan.  

This will be supported by the increased focus on police visibility and neighbourhood policing under the direction of Chief Constable Catherine Roper - we must ensure that people are able to feel safe in the communities where they live and work.