Business-related crime: its impact in the New Forest and across the UK
Welcome to our first New Forest Business News report away from our ‘monthly briefing’ news roundups.
I aim to do more of these standalone articles on topics that are impacting the New Forest and its businesses and residents, so I’m thrilled to finally share this one with you.
Today, an article on business-related crimes. Next month, the cost-of-living crisis and in July the general election.
So, if there are any issues you’d like us to look into and report on (or you want to share a quote on the cost of living or upcoming election), please email editor@newforestbusinessnews.co.uk.
Kerri L Watt
Editor
Business-related crime: its impact in the New Forest and across the UK
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported shoplifting offences increased last year across the UK by 37% to 430,104 incidents, up from 315,040 in 2022. This is the highest figure since police records began in 2003.
A UK study by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the lead trade association for UK retail, found that customer theft incidents doubled to 16.7m (8m from 2023) costing retailers £5m a day.
The survey, conducted over 12 months with 200 major retailers of over £200bn combined turnover, said the results confirmed a rising year-on-year trend.
In the New Forest, 46 shoplifting incidents* were reported in the first three months of 2024. In 2023, there were 178 incidents in total.**
Individual shoplifting incidents reported to police in April and May around the New Forest include;
Travis Perkins, Lymington: £1,300 items taken from store.
New Milton leisure centre: one person arrested for five reported thefts.
Tesco, New Milton: £80 of meat stolen.
Waitrose, Ringwood: £179 of meat stolen.
Waitrose, Ringwood: £320 of meat and flowers stolen.
Marks and Spencer, Lymington: 21 bottles of champagne totalling £717.
Marks and Spencer, Lymington: 8 bottles champagne and spirits totalling £326.
Morrisons Daily, Ringwood: tobacco, cigarettes and scratch cards, valued at £157.
Supermarket chain Co-op shared in a report that they experience almost 1,000 incidents of shoplifting, abuse, violence and anti-social behaviour a day across their 2,400 stores.
Writer of the Co-op commissioned report, Professor of Criminology at the University of London, Emmeline Taylor, said: “Retail crime not only impacts on a business’ ability to operate safely and profitably, the report demonstrates, it also causes serious harm to shop workers, both physically and mentally, and to communities that are blighted by persistent offending.”
Openreach, owned by BT Group ltd, reported significant damage to cables in an attempt to steal them in April.
The incident impacted 128 local homes and businesses in the Everton area.
Director of Security at Openreach, Emma Sandison, said: “We’re already using anti-theft technology to help track stolen cable and convict criminals and our security team is working closely with Hampshire Police.”
In May, Donna Jones was re-elected Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and Isle of Wight police area with 42% of the votes (not including rejected ballots).
In her ‘Police and Crime Plan’, Jones said: “Making sure Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are two of the safest counties to live in in the country, for me, is really important.
“I want all of you to be able to walk the streets without fear of crime or intimidation.
“By working with Hampshire constabulary, criminal justice partners and with the Government, I hope to make our community safer, for you.”
On business-related crime, Jones added: “Supporting retailers who contribute to a growing local economy is important. This helps make local communities feel safer.”
The plan's theme is ‘more police safer streets’ and Jones aims to ensure businesses know how they can access help and support.
She promises to challenge Hampshire Constabulary to reduce business crime and lead a forum for local businesses and police officers to share information and good practice.
In the BRC study, 61% of retailers rated police response as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’, up from 44% in 2023. 32% of respondents said ‘fair’ and 6% ‘good’.
55% of retailers shared that the main reason for not reporting a crime was the lack of belief that anything would happen as a result.
John Greenfield, Police Liaison at Business Watch New Forest said: “One of the things I think our Police and Crime Commissioner will need to focus on is more public confidence.
“What needs to be done, in my opinion, is when a business is broken into or something is stolen, they want someone to come out and see them.
“If they don’t see the police, they get disappointed. They can then take their frustrations to social media.”
Greenfield told New Forest Business News: “The New Forest is taking a battering. Car crime, break ins, business theft, and shoplifting. The cuts over the last decade have had a profound impact on policing.
“Donna Jones is doing a great job. I hope she keeps up the good work. I was confident she would be voted to stay in.
“One of the biggest issues that is fed back from my police contacts, is that people don’t protect themselves.
“For instance, they don’t e.g. lock their car properly or hide valuables in shops. ‘Opportunist crime’ is an unplanned crime where someone sees something and decides to take it.
“Take away the opportunity and you’ll reduce crime.”
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary confirmed their efforts to “tackle shoplifters and reduce thefts” in the New Forest have resulted in arrests, charges and convictions with more to come.
Has your business been impacted by a crime?
Share your experiences or views at editor@newforestbusinessnews.co.uk.
For more information on protecting your business, visit the Hampshire Police website: www.hampshire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/keeping-business-safe-from-crime/
*Data from the Hampshire Constabulary www.police.uk/pu/your-area/hampshire-constabulary/new-forest-heart/?yourlocalpolicingteam=about-us&tab=overview
**A Freedom of Information request for other business-related crime statistics was denied to New Forest Business News due to the cost of complying would exceed the allowed hours or cost limits.