Wiltshire PCC says plans in place to fight shoplifting

Philip Wilkinson has reassured residents and businesses steps are being taken to engage with retailers more effectively and deal with escalating rates.

New data from the Office for National Statistics reveals a 14 per cent rise in shoplifting offences in the 12 months up to March.

This represents an increase of almost 500 incidents compared to the previous year.

Wiltshire’s police and crime commissioner, Philip Wilkinson (Image: Newsquest)

Retail crime has been high on the national agenda in recent weeks after the introduction of a specific offence for assaulting a shop worker and a government pledge to remove the £200 threshold currently in place for prosecuting shoplifters.

This means lower value thefts will see an increased police response and investigation.

Mr Wilkinson said: "Shoplifting should not be dismissed as a victimless, lower-level crime - we’re seeing an increasing trend of shoplifting being used by organised crime groups to fuel criminality and the 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. "

A new business crime strategy has been developed, outlining a "clear plan forward" to tackle shoplifting, according to Mr Wilkinson.

He said it will be supported by more focus on police visibility and neighbourhood policing.

Following consultation with retailers, businesses and local authorities, measures such as extra CCTV coverage, additional police patrols, improved reporting systems and better intelligence sharing between retailers and the police have been funded by the Office for the PCC.

Mr Wilkinson continued: "I met with local retailers in Warminster just this 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."

Wiltshire has recorded the fewest number of crimes in the country, despite the rise in shoplifting.

It has seen an eight per cent decrease in overall crime from the previous 12 months.

There have been major reductions in areas such as robbery, residential burglary, public order offences, and violence against the person, with cases of these offences falling by 28 per cent, 22 per cent, 13 per cent and 11 per cent respectively.