Government of Western Australia’s Post

Wiltshire Police recorded nearly 500 more shoplifting offences in the 12 months to March 2024 compared to the previous year, an increase of 14% according to Office for National Statistics latest report. Plans are in place to tackle the jump in shoplifting offences and improve engagement with retailers, reassures Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson. Following consultation with retailers, business networks such as Salisbury BID and both local authorities progress is being made to improve the service that retailers receive from Wiltshire Police including, additional crime prevention measures funded by the OPCC such as increased CCTV coverage, additional police patrols, improved reporting mechanisms and greater intelligence sharing between retailers and the police. Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson said: “Shoplifting should not be dismissed as a victimless, lower-level crime – we’re seeing an increasing trend of shoplifting being used by organised crime groups to fuel criminality and the impact on retailers, employees and the wider community should not be understated. “This impact is felt further when intimidation and threats of violence accompany shoplifting offences and both economic and physical harm is caused to those working in retail and business owners."

A very disturbing article detailing the truth behind shoplifting and the levels of criminality behind it, including organised crime and violence. https://vist.ly/3mfiw7v #lossprevention #Retailcrime #organisedcrime #AlarmResponse #CommercialSecurity #KeyHolding #MannedGuarding #SecurityPatrols #VanguardSecurity #retailsecurity

Shoplifters, or those who commit violent crimes against retail workers, are about to get more than they bargained for. All this and more news collected for you in our live blog! #Perth #WesternAustralia #Australia

Ordinary stores on High Streets used as fronts for criminal empires 👇🏼 The article highlights what we have been seeing for a while now, cash in hand businesses using shops as fronts to launder money for organised crime. Needs a multi-agency approach and use of other partner powers to disrupt their operations. https://lnkd.in/dvvJwHp4

Code 9 Security® is delighted to share another successful prosecution of a prolific shoplifter sentenced to an 8-week custodial sentence for 3 shoplifting offences. This prosecution is a significant win for #OpPurchase and the fight back against retail crime. It is a natural consequence of the continuing work of Matthew Barber, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, and Thames Valley Police to tackle crime in retail and our communities more generally. Our colleagues work tirelessly to deter, detect, intercept, and prosecute those who threaten our clients and their interests. At the same time, we commit to creating, maintaining, and nurturing a sense of community. While distinct, these two objectives are intrinsically aligned and sit at the heart of our business. This unwavering commitment to these objectives allows us to support and positively contribute to the successful prosecution of offenders, reduce crime and the fear of crime, and restore and renew confidence in our communities and shared values. If you would like to learn more about how our colleagues can deter, detect, intercept, and prosecute those who threaten your business and erode the values of your community, we would love to hear from you. #retailcrime #fightback #shopsafe #crime #shoplifting #retail #community #prosecution #security #business #hampshire #thamesvalley #wiltshire *** 📞 03332 420 620 📨 enquiries@code9security.com 🖥 www.code9security.com Code 9 Security® | Protecting What Matters™ Specialists in Intelligence-led Security Strategies for Business and Government Organisations

I remember when various people criticised Daniel Craig as James Bond before Casino Royale even came out, and then had egg on their face when he turned out to be the best Bond ever ( ... this may generate more discussion than the point I want to make ...) - but assault is already an offence and the lowest form of assault has a maximum sentence of 6 months, so how does having a separate offence of assaulting a shop worker with a maximum sentence of 6 months improve things? There will be an administrative burden (at the minimum, creating CCCJS and HO codes and adding them to every police crime system in the country, the CPS and courts systems, testing to make sure the offences can cross the interface) and potential for specific case law (for example, defining a "shop worker") which will add to the cost and complexity of policing and prosecuting such matters. Surely if there was a genuine interest in making things better it would have been faster, cheaper, and more effective to have it added as an aggravating factor in the sentencing guidelines? BBC News - Assault of shop workers to be made specific criminal offence https://lnkd.in/egsAn8eV

🗒The GOV.UK held an inquiry into tackling shoplifting this week The Justice and Home Affairs Committee held its second and third short enquiry to discuss rising shop thefts, violence against retail workers, prolific offenders and facial recognition technology. They discussed how retail crime needs to be looked at as a more victim-based crime impacting employees and customers. 💠At the NBCS we work with police and retailers to gather data and target prolific offenders to reduce the abuse employees face at work. To learn more click here: https://lnkd.in/e5yMTRj #ReducingCrime #RetailCrime #UkGovernment

Many serious and violent crimes have been trending downward in the U.S.—but retail thefts have spiked during the first half of 2024. The first six months of the year saw the average rate of shoplifting balloon by 24 percent over the same period in 2023, according to recently released data from the Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ). A report on crime trends in dozens of U.S. cities released this month showed a marked increase from rates of shoplifting seen last year, especially in February and March (up 30 percent) and May (up 37 percent).

Serial or abusive shoplifters will now face tougher punishments, as the Prime Minister sets out tough new action to crack down on retail crime. Earlier this year, a report found violent and abusive incidents against shop workers rose by 50% in 2022-23. Assaulting a retail worker will be made a standalone criminal offence in England and Wales, sending a clear message that there will be tough consequences for this unacceptable behaviour. As Security Guarding Company of the Year, Kingdom are here to support your business with our professional security solutions to safeguard your premises and combat violence. #KingdomSecurity | #SecuritySolutions | #CriminalActivity | #RetailCrime

Showing what can be achieved by using technology and working with retail partners to obtain the best evidence.