Haslemere traders 'frustrated' over shoplifting

Stuart Warren is the owner of the Ark Antique Stores and Rug Shop

Traders in Haslemere have expressed their anger over a "massive increase" in shoplifting.

Business owners told BBC Radio Surrey that they were "really angry" about a lack of police presence in their town.

Chief Inspector Andy Hill, from Surrey Police, said: "I wish we could increase our visibility but ultimately we only have a finite amount of resources."

Traders in Haslemere say shoplifting is happening so frequently that they have a dedicated WhatsApp group for the problem.

'Verging on ridiculous'

Stuart Warren, the owner of the Ark Antique Stores and Rug Shop, said: "We have an area of the shop like the pry of the ship.

"Three times in two weeks, robbers came in, broke a padlock and stole our stock.

"The third time was verging on the ridiculous.

"Sometimes more of a presence would help the situation."

As well as having a coffee shop and bar in Haselmere, Oliver Leach is also the mayor

Oliver Leach, who owns Oliver's Coffee Shop and Wine Bar, and is also the mayor of Haselmere, told BBC Radio Surrey: "The last few years, due to the cost of living post-pandemic, have been tough.

"We have noticed a massive interest in shoplifting in the last 18 months.

"Businesses are really angry. It is hard to report crime and because Haselmere has lots of independent businesses, we don't have time to do long-winded reports."

Surrey Police says it has been focusing more on retail crime and shoplifting and has made significant progress.

Ch Insp Andy Hill said: "The reports of shoplifting have gone up for Surrey but that is a national trend as well."

He says a local policing team in Haslemere is working to build an "information and intelligence picture".

"When something is reported to us we will follow those reasonable lines of enquiry," he added.

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