Businesses welcome progress in fight against retail crime
Matthew Barber, PCC for Thames Valley, and Thames Valley Police officers working to reduce retail crime recently met with over 50 representatives of the largest retailers and businesses in the region at the Oracle Shopping Centre (Reading).
The Strategic Retail Crime Forum was launched one year ago with the aim of implementing the PCC’s Retail Crime Strategy to tackle shoplifting, retail crime and violence against shop workers through a strong partnership with businesses, rolling out of technology and a more integrated approach with community policing.
Matthew Barber said: “Since the launch of my strategy, Thames Valley Police are much more effective at identifying, arresting and prosecuting criminals. These are not victimless crimes, they have a huge impact on livelihoods, retail staff, and communities. There is a focus on prolific offenders, organised crime, and the support for victims. ‘Top offenders’ can really affect the feeling of safety in our town centres. Reports of shoplifting are going up, which is positive, showing that businesses are more confident in reporting crime and are working closely with the police to create a hostile environment for these criminals.”
PCC Matthew Barber speaking to attendees at the Strategic Retail Crime Forum in Reading (14/1)
Thames Valley Police told businesses that the force has increased positive outcomes from April 2024 to January 2025 (court and out of court resolutions) from 2,097 to 3,568 cases. Areas such as Reading and Oxfordshire now have positive outcome rates of 30%. The 20 most prolific offenders have been identified, as well as the top locations where they operate, making them much more visible, exposing the vulnerabilities of retailers and showing how important engaging with the process is.
Matthew added: “The feedback from participants in the forum has been very positive and I encourage more retailers to join. There is a danger that if retailers are seen as a soft touch by criminals they will be increasingly targeted over retailers that have robust practices for reporting crime. It is recommended that retailers maintain a robust practice for reporting crime to deter offenders. Engagement and timely information means we can more easily dial-up prevention and support.”
The forum also discussed antisocial behaviour, its links with shoplifting, and its impact on high streets and shopping centres.
Chief Inspector Stewart Codling speaking to attendees
Superintendent John Batty said: “Retail Crime is a priority for Thames Valley Police. Over the last 18 months, we have been committed to increasing police visibility in our town centres and retail spaces through Operation Purchase. Through improved investigation processes we have increased the number of shoplifting offenders being brought to justice and have seen a steep increase in positive outcomes for shoplifting offences.”
Operation Purchase is the Thames Valley Police operational response integrating retail crime into local policing with a lead officer liaising with the National Business Crime Centre.
Andy Briggs, Destination Manager of the Oracle Centre in Reading, said: “At The Oracle, we are proud to be active participants in the Thames Valley Strategic Retail Crime Forum alongside Thames Valley Police. We are deeply committed to creating a safer and more prosperous community for all. This commitment drives our ongoing partnerships with key stakeholders. We are working closely with Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber and other police stakeholders and were pleased to host an event to promoting ongoing work of the Retail Crime Strategy. Through this collaborative approach, we are working towards a safer and more successful future for Thames Valley community.”
The introduction of Disc has made it easier for businesses to report retail crime and antisocial behaviour. More than 1,000 businesses have signed up to this information-sharing platform which is available both online and as an app and was procured by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and offered free of charge to retailers, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and Business Crime Reduction Partnerships (BCRPs) across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Milton Keynes.
