THE Calne Neighbourhood Policing Team is calling upon our local retailers to become part of a new working group focussed at reducing incidents of shoplifting and retail crime in our town.
Shoplifting and retail crime has seen a huge increase recently.
A total of 443,995 offences were logged by forces in the year to March 2024, up 30% on the 342,428 recorded in the previous 12 months. The figure is the highest since current records began in the year to March 2003, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which described the latest increases as notable.
One of Calne Neighbourhood Policing Team's key local prioritites is the reduction of retail theft and an increase in successful prosecutions.
PCSO Mark Cook said: "To achieve this, with the help of our local retailers, we can work towards reducing the increase.The Calne Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) would like to hear from all our local retailers to become part of a new Operational Retail Working Group that will meet monthly and be led by the Police.
"The purpose is to give retailers a voice and influence local policing but not discuss individuals or specific incidents."
The first meeting will be held on Thursday 19th September between 10:00am and 12:00pm in the Corn Exchange in Calne Town Hall.
PCSO Cook added: "We acknowledge that there is room for improvement and for us to do so we need your involvement. Things are about to change as the King’s speech has committed the government to the introduction of the new standalone offence for assaulting a shop worker."
If you wish to attend the meeting, please email PCSO Mark Cook on
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