Dorset Police is supporting Safer Business Action Week

According to a Freedom of Information request, close to 5,000 shoplifting offences took place in Dorset over the past year - the highest it has been in the last five years. 

Dorset Police are supporting Safer Business Action Week- a week of action which sees local neighbourhood policing teams having an 'enhanced' focus on retail crime and 'delivering activity' based on their local intelligence pictures.

Julien Maillot, of The Customs House Emporium at West Bay, said: “A week of action is not enough. There has to be more and a camera presence along the beach would also help.

Julien Maillot, of The Customs House Emporium at West Bay (Image: Cristiano Magaglio) “There 100 per cent needs to be more patrols as things happen all the time.”

Rob Mühl, president of the Bridport & West Bay Business Chamber, said: “Our members are very concerned. There is just no presence on the High Street, day or night. When are Bridport and West Bay going to be supported?”

Charlie Groves, owner of Groves Nurseries and Garden Centre, said he recently reported a shoplifting incident to the police.

Charlie Groves, owner of Groves Nurseries and Garden Centre (Image: Groves Nurseries) "We have CCTV of the incident happening, the registration plate of the car, the name and address of the suspected offender, details of where are stolen goods are being sold on and incidences of where the same person has committed the same crime at other garden centres. 

"But nothing seems to be happening. It is very frustrating that we can provide so much information and nothing happens to tackle this."

He said he has just received automated ‘No-Reply’ emails and having a real case officer assigned to the case would be more helpful.

Safer Business Action Week, began on Monday, October 14, and is running until Sunday, October 20.

Police say this will include partnership meetings with Business Improvement Districts, crime prevention visits to shops, increased patrols in hotspot areas to look for shoplifters and engagement with businesses to encourage and provide support with reporting incidents.

Business and retail crime can encompass a wide variety of matters from theft and burglary, to cyber crime or abuse and violence directed at staff.

Inspector Dan Cullen, of Dorset Police, said: “This week of action is a great opportunity for us to engage with businesses in our community and show our commitment to reducing retail crime.

“While this week marks a specific enhanced response, it is important to note that this type of activity is taking place all year round.

“We would encourage members of the business community to make contact with officers if they want advice or have a question.”

Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset David Sidwick praised the success of the Dorset Safer Business Partnership. He said the work of this partnership focuses on key areas of crime prevention - reporting, engagement and visibility, cyber-crime and fraud.

Adding that 'fighting shoplifting requires collaboration', he said: “Dorset also has two Business Crime Reduction Partnerships who efficiently gather and share intelligence among shops and pass that information onto Dorset Police."

"We want our high streets to be vibrant places for consumers to visit, and initiatives such as Safer Business Action Week will help our town centres continue to thrive," he said.