Tackling shoplifting a priority, says police chief

Tim De Meyer is promising to make tackling shoplifting a priority in 2024

Surrey's chief constable has promised to make tackling shoplifting a priority in 2024.

Speaking to BBC Radio Surrey, Tim De Meyer said several arrests were made in a single day in an operation in December.

He said: "We will and we very much are arresting shoplifters."

It follows reports of some shopkeepers, including one in Leatherhead, installing cameras with facial recognition technology because of the levels of theft in their stores.

Mr De Meyer said he and Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend visited all the county's boroughs before Christmas to speak to residents, with shoplifting consistently being mentioned.

"We spoke to a shopkeeper from Woking who saw a great many thefts every day," he said.

"I understand why people might commit that crime. It could be to feed a drug habit. But we need to bring them in, complete the investigation and find out what's going on.

"Theft is a serious crime and you certainly don't need to commit £1,000 worth of it before we respond and arrest you."

It follows a call from policing minister Chris Philps for a "zero tolerance" approach to shoplifting.