Plain clothed officers to fight Bournemouth shoplifting

Last financial year, shoplifting in Dorset was at its highest level since 2003 and a 28 per cent rise year-on-year. 

Figures from the Home Office show there were 4,641 shoplifting crimes recorded by Dorset Police in the year to March – up from 3,617 the year before. 

The aim of Operation Spotter is to use proactive policing to catch shoplifters and consider the most appropriate outcome for immediate justice to reduce the impact on businesses. 

Since the beginning of the month, officers have issued two section 35 dispersal notices, carried out nine stop and searches and five matters have been dealt with by community resolution. 

Inspector Sophie Williams, of BCP neighbourhood policing, said: “By undertaking this operation, we are providing an enhanced policing presence in the area and working to strengthen our partnership with retailers, which we hope will lead to greater information sharing and a better understanding of retail crime in the town centre. 

“We have looked at our intelligence so far and are carrying out targeted and focussed efforts to reduce crime.” 

She added Dorset Police has been working closely with BCP Council and its CSAS officers and Bournemouth Town Centre BID to identify prolific shoplifters and theft hotspots. 

Dorset police and crime commissioner David Sidwick Dorset’s police and crime commissioner David Sidwick said: “Shoplifting is not a victimless offence. From regular conversations with shop owners, I know and have seen the impact these crimes not only have on a company’s bottom line, but on the staff and communities criminals target.” 

To tackle it, Mr Sidwick said he has set up a Dorset Safer Business Partnership to bring business leaders and the police together to fight business crime and introduced two Business Crime Reduction Units to deter it. 

He added: “I am determined to bring about further change to drive down offences, to ensure businesses have increased confidence in reporting incidents to the police.  

“Fighting shoplifting requires collaboration and that is what we now have in Dorset. 

“High police visibility and tackling prolific high harm offenders is proven to deter criminals seeking to steal and Dorset Police has had much success so far with Operation Shopkeeper, which targets high harm and prolific offenders. 

“Dovetailing this with plain clothes officers on the streets as part of Operation Spotter is an effective way to catch thieves in the act. Let me be clear, those stealing from shops in Dorset will be caught and will face the consequences of their actions.”