📈 Retail crime charges rise by 465 per cent in Surrey as report on the impact of offending is released

Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner

📈 Retail crime charges rise by 465 per cent in Surrey as report on the impact of offending is released

More shoplifters are facing justice in Surrey as officers crack down on offenders targeting businesses.

A 465 per cent increase in shoplifting charges has been recorded by Surrey Police over the past two years.

It comes as Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner and retail crime leads from Surrey Police release their first-ever retail crime report, which sets out the Force’s commitment to victims.

The report, available to view here, has been published following a survey of the business community earlier this year.

Respondents to the survey shared their experiences with retail crime, with some saying insurance premiums had gone up because of repeat incidents. Others said they felt unable to protect themselves from theft.

In the spring, Surrey Police launched its Retail Crime Strategy, which commits the Force to attending reports where appropriate, following all reasonable lines of enquiry, targeting repeat offenders and tackling organised criminal networks.

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, said: “The responses we had demonstrate very clearly the impact that retail crime has on the business community in Surrey.

“Retailers are feeling demoralised, exhausted and, in some cases, frightened. It is not acceptable that anyone trying simply to do their job should be targeted by criminals.”