In the know

This week, we launched our new retail crime strategy, which sets out our Force commitment to address retail concerns, to respond appropriately, investigate thoroughly and work with retailers to prevent crime where possible.    

Retail crime impacts businesses, leaves victims terrified in their workplace and communities feeling unsafe in town centres they should be able to enjoy. 

Tackling this crime type is a priority for Surrey Police.

Hear from our Chief Constable Tim De Meyer as he talks more about our Force approach to addressing retail crime. 

‘People should feel safe in their communities’

Our Force lead for retail crime, Chief Superintendent Juliet Parker, discusses the importance of prevention and victims reporting retail crime to us, however big or small, so that we can not only investigate but build a wider picture of this type of criminality. 

Search online ‘Surrey Police – Report a Crime’ to find our reporting tools, and ‘Surrey Police – Suspicious Activity Portal’ to upload any digital media.

Read more about Juliet below, who is set to retire from Surrey Police in the autumn after 30 years’ service…

As she nervously made her first arrest for shoplifting 30 years ago at the start of her career, Chief Superintendent Juliet Parker had no idea that she would come a full circle as she reached near retirement from Surrey Police.

Now the Force lead for retail crime, Juliet has been instrumental in launching a new strategy that she hopes will help combat these concerns on our local high streets. 

She said: “My first arrest was for shoplifting by a man who stole a packet of shortbread and a punnet of strawberries from Marks and Spencer in Guildford town centre. I was very nervous arresting him as it was my first arrest, interview and charge. 

“Since then, I have dealt with so much shoplifting throughout my career both in uniform and as a detective. I remember a case where a man in broad daylight, in the heat of summer, punched a hole in the window of a jewellery shop in Guildford and stole two very expensive rings. He was wearing huge wool-lined gardening gloves on a very hot summer’s day that he claimed wasn’t unusual. 

“I have dealt with bulk shoplifters stealing high-value goods from garden centres, like lawn mowers – it is amazing how brazen thieves can be even with heavy obvious goods. I have been in pursuits with thieves trying to get away from having committed retail theft and dealt with burglaries in the middle of the night, where offenders break into shops and steal items.”

Over the past 15 years, policing’s focus has shifted as new and emerging crimes such as cybercrime, child sexual exploitation and complex crime types have increased impact, but retail crime has never gone away.

“Retail workers and the public should feel safe in their communities, and we have a responsibility to deal with those who commit offences”’ concluded Juliet. 

And finally…

Jump in the patrol car with us and join one of our local teams as they head out to target – and arrest – a prolific shoplifter, who has contributed to stealing upwards of £80,000 in beauty products.

Watch here.