A BUSINESS in West Bay has experienced a "gut-wrenching" increase in shoplifting during the summer of 2023.

Harbour Gifts in West Bay had to re-design its entire layout in order to prevent thieves from entering blind spots.

Tim Attrill owns Harbour Gifts alongside his wife Nicole.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: Nicole and Tim Attrill, owners of Harbour GiftsNicole and Tim Attrill, owners of Harbour Gifts (Image: Kieran Bell)

The increase in shoplifting over the summer has led to Tim and Nicole refitting their entire shop to try and eliminate shoplifters.

Tim said: "This summer has been rampant, shoplifting is always a problem but this year has been noticeably worse.

"In the height of summer, we were getting items stolen about two or three times a week.

"We have now changed our entire layout from shelves to tables so that all of our stock is at eye level and we don't have any blind spots.

"We have also installed more CCTV so we can see everything going on."

In September, West Bay kiosk Baboo Gelato had its tip jar stolen from the front window, with the perpetrator caught smirking as he stole the money on CCTV.

Speaking at the time, Annie Hanbury, owner of Baboo Gelato said: "It was very sad and it is very low to steal tips.

"I feel very sorry for all of our staff, they are all kids working very hard to earn some money during school holidays so it was very sad for them.

"The staff member who was working in the kiosk at the time was tidying up, it was a quiet point in the afternoon.

"The man was quite brazen about it."

Dorset Police received 11 reports of shoplifting in the Bridport area between June and August 2023.

West Bay businesses are mostly independent shops and stalls owned by locals.

"It is heartbreaking," said Tim, "We work so hard to make the shop nice for the bay and for the community

"We know it happens every year and it is an ongoing battle but this year has been so much worse.

"It is gut-wrenching when we go around and see empty packets where jewellery was or items just taken from shelves.

"People don't realise we are a small independent business, like so many others in West Bay, this affects our turnovers and our livelihoods."

Sergeant Mike Brown, of Bridport police, said: “Our figures show we have an extremely small number of reports of shoplifting in West Bay, with just one matter reported to police over the summer months.

“Nevertheless, we fully understand the impact that shoplifting can have on our local businesses and we are fully committed to working with the retail sector to tackle this issue.

“We do have had a number of successful convictions of shoplifters, but we are not complacent and we will continue to also use all powers available to us in order to deter those who persistently cause issues to shopkeepers.

“We share information and advise businesses, with crime prevention experts talking to retailers about how they can take preventive measures to minimise the risk of shoplifting and increase the chances of offenders being caught.

“We have a Dorset Safer Business Partnership, chaired by the Police and Crime Commissioner, that involves business leaders across Dorset. Our work also involves regular communication with local businesses and local authorities around our response to tackling shoplifting, as well as anti-social behaviour and other crimes and incidents, to ensure Dorset remains a safe place to live, work and visit."