Overview

• Home Office campaign is now live, deploying increased foot and multi-unit patrols across more than 500 towns to tackle a 60% surge in shoplifting and wider anti-social behaviour.
• Local Police and Crime Commissioners have rolled out bespoke plans, from Derbyshire’s night-time economy charter to stepped-up foot patrols in Suffolk and Shropshire communities, to coordinate enforcement and protect town centres.
• The National Business Crime Centre has launched its first national retail crime campaign using £2 million in government funding to bolster detection and prevention measures.
• Independent retailers have welcomed the initiative, warning that retail crime takes a heavy mental, physical and financial toll and urging continued police presence to safeguard businesses.
• Funding has been disbursed to support community diversion programmes, out-of-court resolutions for offenders and strengthened collaboration with councils and local partners.