Clamping down on shoplifting
Thames Valley: Police target retail crime and violence
A new strategy to clamp down on retail crime has been launched by the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner.
PCC Matthew Barber revealed the new Retail Crime Strategy on Monday which has been developed with retailers, business groups and Thames Valley Police.
It sets out actions to tackle shoplifting, retail crime and violence towards shop staff.
Mr Barber said: “Many people see retail crime as a victimless crime, but it has a profound impact on retail staff, customers and the wider economy.
“My new Retail Crime Strategy sets out a series of tangible actions to help redress the balance.”
According to the report, around 14,000 shoplifting offences are currently recorded every year in
Thames Valley and it is ‘widely accepted’ that these offences are ‘significantly under-reported’.
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) Crime Survey 2023 said the reasons given by retailers for not reporting are due to a perceived lack of interest from the police, the time taken to file and process reports and no confidence the offence will be investigated.
James Lowman, ACS chief executive said: “We are delighted to see the Police & Crime Commissioner prioritising retail crime and making it clear that shop theft and violence against shop workers will not be tolerated.
“Partnership working and information sharing are the keys to making this strategy work, and we want all retailers to engage with the police, report all crime and work together to identify and apprehend the prolific repeat offenders who blight communities.”
The PCC’s Retail Crime Strategy focuses on six key pillars including Intelligence, Enforcement, Partnership, Prevention, Justice and Reassurance.
Mr Barber added: “[The Retail Crime Strategy] includes the creation of a Business Crime Team within Thames Valley Police to improve investigations and identify prolific offenders and, with the rollout of Operation Purchase, the force’s operational response to retail crime, increasing the visible presence of police officers and PCSOs in retail spaces as well as improving the officer response to reports, particularly incidents involving violence towards staff.”
He said the strategy’s
‘core aim’ is for better collaboration between businesses and the police to tackle retail crime.
To facilitate this, retailers will soon get access to Disc – an online informationsharing and reporting platform to access information about crime such as shoplifting and anti-social behaviour (ASB).
The system can be accessed as an app and users can also submit a crime report directly through the platform, removing the need to call 101.
A Business Crime Team will also be assembled within the Assessment and Investigation Unit (AIU), consisting of 21 police officers, three Investigation Support Officers and an Inspector to identify prolific offenders, and develop best practice.
‘Shoplifting packs’ will also be sent to businesses to request evidence after offences have been reported.
Mr Barber added: “Taken together, I hope these measures will deliver a more visible, targeted and robust response to retail crime, increase the security and confidence of local businesses and help make high streets and retail spaces across the Thames Valley safer for us all.”
The Thames Valley Strategic Retail Crime Forum has also been created, which will build upon engagement and strengthen the partnership between the police and businesses in tackling retail crime.
Christian Bunt, Thames Valley Police Assistant
Chief Constable said: “Over the last few months TVP has developed operational plans which will be led by our neighbourhood policing teams and our new Business Crime Team who will specialise in retail crime investigations.
“We understand the frustrations of the retail sector and hope that by introducing this new strategy, we can continue to work collaboratively with our partners and wider criminal justice system to bring offenders to justice.”