
In a move to address the rising tide of shoplifting, Humberside Police have announced a comprehensive strategy aimed at tackling retail crime across the region.
The initiative comes in response to alarming statistics revealing over 516,000 shop theft offences reported nationally last year, highlighting the significant impact of such crimes on local businesses and their employees.
Chief Inspector Alasdair Booth, leading the Neighbourhood Policing Teams, emphasised the seriousness of shoplifting, stating,
“No one should feel unsafe or threatened at work. We are ramping up efforts to target criminals who continue to commit retail crime offences.”
The police force says it is committed to a thorough approach in addressing these crimes, as Booth explained,
“We take all reports of shop theft seriously and assess cases on an individual basis; we do not work to a monetary value threshold for prosecuting offenders.”
The force say this commitment underscores their determination to support local businesses and maintain a safe shopping environment.
As part of the Safer Streets Summer Campaign, members of the public can expect to see increased patrols in areas identified as hotspots for retail crime. Booth noted,
“Humberside Police is focused on ensuring that repeat offenders responsible for committing offences against the same businesses are quickly identified and arrested to prevent further offending.”
The initiative also includes collaboration with local communities, shops, and businesses to provide specialised crime prevention advice, particularly to those that have been repeatedly targeted. The police aim to enhance communication across retail premises to foster a cooperative environment in the fight against crime.
Furthermore, the force is exploring legal avenues, such as seeking Criminal Behaviour Orders through the courts, to deter habitual offenders. “Retail crime will not be tolerated across the Humberside Police area, and the force is determined to ensure retail businesses continue to feel safe,” Booth asserted.
Comments
Add a comment