There have been just under 3,400 reports of shoplifting in the last year, according to Wiltshire Police.

While this is an 11 per cent decrease from September 2022 to September 2023,  police officers across Swindon and Wiltshire have carried out additional high-visibility and plain clothes patrols of high streets.

They are hoping to deter retail crime in support of Safer Business Action Week, a week of action led by the National Business Crime Centre (NBCC).

Neighbourhood policing teams are collaborating with partner agencies, including local security staff and City Rangers, to provide support to local retailers to prevent them being the next target.

Teams have visited over 225 shops offering prevention advice and encouraging participation in Shop Watch and Business Watch schemes, enabling them to share information with each other to further prevent crime.

Superintendent for Local Policing, Doug Downing, said: “Whilst the 11% decrease in reports of shoplifting offences to Wiltshire Police is positive, we recognise this crime is underreported.

“We encourage retailers to work with us by reporting all instances of shoplifting, no matter the value of the items. It is vital retail crimes are reported to Wiltshire Police so that all leads can be investigated and loss to businesses in our county can be prevented.

“Our neighbourhood policing teams will continue to work alongside partner agencies to be a visible presence in our town and city centres to prevent retail crime from taking place. We continue to encourage retailers to report all instances of shoplifting to the police using our official reporting channels.”

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has provided funding for upgraded CCTV cameras in Chippenham and Swindon and four mobile CCTV units in Salisbury.

Swindon Borough Council has funded anti-social behaviour wardens to patrol the town centre and other crime hotspots.

The Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, has placed a renewed focus on retail crime in the first draft of his Police and Crime Plan for 2025-2029.

Mr Wilkinson said: “I have spoken to shop managers and small to medium business owners, who have made it clear to me that they want to something done about the criminals who are having a profound effect on their ability to survive in the current financial climate.

“It is also clear that people who work in retail should feel they can go into work without the fear of being assaulted or abused.

“I’m aware of situations in Wiltshire where this has happened, and I want anyone who works in the retail industry to know that my team is working with Wiltshire Police and our partners to make your working environment safer, and to make you feel safer.”

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