Retailers in Dorset are being encouraged to keep reporting shoplifting after a supermarket manager said consistent reports helped reduce repeat offending at their store and support police action. Retailers across Dorset are being urged to report shoplifting consistently to help tackle repeat offending. The message was shared during Safer Business Action Week, after Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said some shop owners and retail staff feel reporting takes too long or will not lead to action. A Dorset supermarket manager said shoplifting remains a challenge, but their expe
Retailers across Dorset are being urged to report shoplifting consistently to help tackle repeat offending.
The message was shared during Safer Business Action Week, after Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said some shop owners and retail staff feel reporting takes too long or will not lead to action.
A Dorset supermarket manager said shoplifting remains a challenge, but their experience showed that “consistent reporting can deliver real results” when businesses provide accurate details and keep recording incidents involving known offenders.
The manager said about 20 known offenders were regularly targeting the store in January, while today there are no known repeat offenders attending, with new incidents now being reported through the same process.
They advised other businesses to “report every incident”, stay consistent with known repeat offenders, share accurate information with police and work with nearby traders so linked cases can be identified.
Mr Sidwick said he hoped the account would give retailers confidence, adding that business crime remains a priority and that he will continue working with Dorset Police and partners to improve reporting and responses.
