SURREY Police has launched its refreshed retail crime strategy amid a four-fold increase in charges for this type of offending.
Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend and Chief Constable Tim De Meyer say retail crime is at the heart of the Force’s priorities as the new strategy was revealed.
The Force is committed to responding appropriately, investigating thoroughly, and working with retailers to prevent crime where possible.
Over the past year, there have been 800 additional charges across the county for shoplifting.
The arrest rate for these crimes has more than doubled from around 10 per cent previously to around 24 per cent this year.
The solved outcome rate is currently 23.5 per cent. This time last year, it was around 16 per cent, and the year before, it was around 11 per cent.
More on retail crime
- “Shoplifters are warned – the person standing next to you in the aisle could be a plain-clothed officer”
- Surrey’s business community asked to have their say in retail crime survey
- Reports of shoplifting in Surrey are increasing – and this is why I’m glad, Commissioner says
- Commissioner dispels shoplifting “myth” – and says the offence is a top priority for police in Surrey
Top priority
In partnership with the Force, Lisa recently opened a survey for the business community on the impact of retail crime. The survey closed last month, and a report on responses will be published in the summer.
The Chief Constable said: “Retail crime is far from a ‘victimless crime’. It leads to fear and loss across a whole network from business owners to employees and customers – who are all part of a community we are here to protect.
“We are committed to tackling retail crime head on, relentlessly pursuing those who steal from shops. To do so, we rely on thefts being reported so that we can identify hotspots and trends, act swiftly, and prevent crime from happening and catch the offenders where it does occur.
“Pursuing all appropriate avenues to identify offenders, collect evidence, recover stolen property, ensure witnesses are located and interviewed, and get these crimes to court, is a priority for our officers.”
You can watch our Chief Constable talking about retail crime here.
Charges increase four-fold
Chief Superintendent Juliet Parker, Force lead for retail crime, said: “Our strategy sets out clear guidelines for our response to retail crime and our local teams are embedding this in their operational work.
“Retail crime is simply not fair. It can be volatile, dangerous and fuels local illicit activities. Through clear co-operation and partnership working, the figures can be improved. We have made positive strides in this area, but there is more to do.”
In Surrey, neighbourhood policing teams visit retailers during proactive patrols, identifying repeat locations and suspects. There is also targeted activity against shoplifting, and officers and staff provide additional advice and reassurance to communities, and work with businesses to review their security measures.
“Impressive progress”
The Commissioner said: “I know from speaking to shop owners and staff, and reading the responses to our survey, that retail crime continues to have a significant impact across our county.
“We have seen impressive progress over the last year in tackling this issue but there is clearly more to do.
“That is why I am delighted that this new strategy will help our police teams work more closely with our retailers and target offenders, so we can drive this criminality out of our communities in Surrey.”
Where to report it
Business are encouraged to always report crimes via the Force’s reporting tools found on the Surrey Police website.
The dedicated Suspicious Activity Portal can also be used to upload any digital media – the portal is not a reporting tool but helps us to build a vital picture of intelligence.