Police in Wiltshire 'working' to tackle shoplifting
They're rolling out more Shop Watch schemes to support retailers
Wiltshire Police say they're working closely with retailers and other organisations to tackle shoplifting.
As part of their efforts, they're rolling out more Shop Watch schemes across the county to deter shoplifters.
They see retailers and organisations linked together, often using radio systems, to pass on information about offences and suspects to look out for.
The force say they're also supporting the national #ShopKind campaign - to tackle violence and abuse against shopworkers.
Superintendent Doug Downing, lead for retail crime at Wiltshire Police said:
“I know that crimes such as shoplifting are a blight on our retail and business communities, often causing significant financial and, at times, emotional impacts that can be devastating to a retailer.
“Shoplifting is not a victimless crime. We will work closely with retailers and organisations such as Salisbury BID and the Chamber of Commerce. We are committed to improving our investigative standards and the service we provide which extends to retail crime. This includes taking prompt action and investigation into reports of retail crime, seizing of evidence when we can (such as available CCTV) and increased use of outcomes such as Out of Court Resolutions - which include community resolutions, conditional cautions and Youth Restorative Intervention referrals where appropriate.
“We will also be rolling out Shop Watch schemes across the county where every Inspector for a Neighbourhood area will be responsible for putting in place a Shop Watch co-ordination group, with members including partners, retailers, stakeholders and the Chamber of Commerce.
“We recognise that retail crime is often a symptom of something else going on. Therefore, we have committed to setting up Retail Offender Intervention Groups, one in Swindon and one in Wiltshire to ensure a cross-agency approach to retail crime. These groups will have a particular focus on the most problematic and persistent offenders and more effectively address the often complex social, economic, and psychological issues that are often present in those committing these offences.
"This group will seek to utilise existing commissioned services and pathways to try and prevent reoffending and will also proactively use other opportunities, such as the use of Criminal Behaviour Orders, diversionary pathways and the proactive policing of licensing conditions.
“We are also supporting the #ShopKind campaign, a national campaign which has been coordinated by the Association of Convenience Stores, on behalf of the Home Office. This campaign seeks to tackle violence and abuse against shopworkers by encouraging positive behaviours in shops and raise awareness about the scale and impact of violence and abuse against shopworkers.”