Police Commissioner Says It Is a Myth that Shoplifting Is Not Taken Seriously in Surrey

Published on: 14 Aug, 2024
Updated on: 14 Aug, 2024

Police Commissioner Lisa Townsend wishes to dispel a shoplifting “myth”  -she says the offence is a top priority for police in Surrey.

By Martin Giles

A police officer who was initially tasked with investigating shoplifting at Guildford’s Tesco has uncovered an alleged two years of offending by a gang based in Essex. Six people have now been charged with a total of 86 offences for conspiracy to commit theft from a shop.

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner wants to “myth-bust” claims that police won’t investigate lower-value shoplifting incidents – after she joined an undercover sting at an East Surrey supermarket.

Lisa Townsend said “persistent rumours” that police will fail to respond to incidents where the total value of items stolen is less than £200 are “categorically untrue”.

The commissioner joined a recent plain-clothes operation to tackle shoplifting at Sainsbury’s in Redhill. During the initiative, a suspected offender was detained after allegedly stealing items worth just £7.50.

Surrey Police uses uniformed patrols in hotspots, plain-clothes operations and public engagement to tackle shoplifting.

While Surrey has some of the lowest levels of shoplifting in the country, reports rose by 26 per cent between December 2022 and 2023. The figure is reflective of national trends.

Amanda Masters, CEO Experience Guildford

But there is some news of increased effectiveness from Guildford. Amanda Masters, the CEO at Experience Guildford, which represents town centre businesses, said: “We are very pleased to hear Lisa’s stance on this and we completely agree that every crime must be reported because it will be read or heard.

“The time it takes to go through 101 online or on the phone can often be off-putting for a business too, so we need to keep reminding them that it is always worth reporting shoplifting, whatever the size or value.

“Experience Guildford runs the Guildford town centre Business Crime Reduction Partnership which  (via a system called DISC) enables partners to quickly and easily report a crime, which is copied straight across to the Surrey Police contact centre, eradicating the need to go through 101.

“Since adding this capability in 2023 to the reporting platform, crime reports from partners have increased by 337 per cent which illustrates that made simpler, businesses will report more.

“Guildford businesses are the first in Surrey to be able to report straight to the police contact centre with no fuss or time taken. We hope this capability will be available across all Crime Reduction Partnerships in the county very soon.”

Quizzed on the subject of shoplifting, the commissioner said: “For many years now, there has been a persistent rumour that police will only investigate reports of shoplifting where the value exceeds £200.

“This is categorically untrue, and it’s time to myth-bust this particular story.

“It is true that police may not visit a business immediately, depending on the threat or risk or harm reported.

Chief Constable Tim De Meyer

“However, the chief constable has been clear that ultimately, he wants to see all reports investigated, whether the loss is £5 or £5,000.

“I recently watched as a suspected shoplifter was arrested on suspicion of stealing items worth just £7.50.

“Reports of shoplifting are rising throughout the UK. We know that much of this increase is fuelled by organised gangs who are stealing to order, targeting higher-value items to sell on to members of the public struggling with the cost of living.

“Shoplifting also often goes hand-in-hand with violence, threats and abuse directed at retail staff.

“It’s crucial that Surrey Police, as well as every other force in the country, treats these offences with the seriousness they deserve.”

See Lisa Townsend speaking on the subject here:

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