Police call on Torbay traders to tackle shoplifting surge

Police say theft, particularly shoplifting, is not a victimless crime and officers will be working with businesses throughout this festive period to create safe shopping environments, to reduce crime and improve reporting.

Collaboration is the key to addressing shoplifting. Uniformed officers will be out and about in town centres, at night shopping events and Christmas markets in the run up to Christmas, working closely with Community Safety partners, local council CCTV and members from the local Business Improvement Districts to identify prolific shoplifters, theft hotspots and engage with local businesses.

It’s crucial that every shoplifting incident is reported to the police so action can be taken.

Joe Champness, the crime prevention lead for Devon & Cornwall Police, said: “We are aware how much shoplifting can impact our business communities and we are urging business owners to report incidents to us as it helps create a profile and understand where our resources are best placed. We use that information to coordinate our response in dealing with those causing the most harm and risk.

“Our objective is to engage with local businesses to better understand the issues affecting them, highlight the work already taking place to support retailers and encourage the reporting of crime. By working together, we can help reduce shoplifting and its’ impact on our communities.”

Latest crime figures show that shoplifting has increased nationally by 37 per cent. In a bid to reduce shoplifting in Devon & Cornwall, local neighbourhood teams are regularly engaging with retailers and local agencies, conducting plain clothes operations and visible patrols in shoplifting hotspots such as Exeter City Centre.

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: “I know that shoplifting is a real issue across our two counties, with traders often telling me and my team about the difficulty of dealing with the financial and emotional consequences of theft.

“This is why I have made theft in our towns and cities a priority in my next Police and Crime Plan, asking Devon & Cornwall Police to have an increased focus on reducing theft and shoplifting on our high streets.

“I welcome this operation by our local policing teams to help our business community to feel safe and I join them in encouraging traders to report crime every single time to help police build a true picture of offending and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”

For more information about crime prevention please visit the Devon & Cornwall Police website.

You can report shoplifting to us either online or via our 101 non-emergency service, or anonymously via Crimestoppers. 

Devon and Cornwall Alert system offers crime prevention advice and warns of crime trends and incidents. Its free to sign up, for more information visit the DC Alert website.