Wiltshire businesses urged to report shoplifting, regardless of value
Police insist they will respond, despite a perception that they won't
Police are urging retailers across the county to report low-value thefts to them - insisting they will respond.
It follows concerns being raised by businesses that officers won't attend unless a theft has a value of 200-pounds or more.
The Force believes the crime is under reported and wants all instances of shoplifting reported to them.
Investigators say there has been confusion created by the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980.
The act states that shop thefts of £200 or less must be tried in a magistrates’ court unless the defendant elects for jury trial.
However, the £200 threshold was removed earlier this year, meaning that shoplifting can now be tried in a Crown Court and maximum sentence can be up to 7 years imprisonment.
Inspector Lou Oakley, lead for Business Crime for Wiltshire Police said, "Shop theft of any amount is illegal. It should not be dismissed as a victimless, lower-level crime.
"We recognise this crime is under-reported and 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.”
We can report to Police by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency, and through their website.