Businesses want more to be done over shoplifting

Havelock Street in Swindon is an independent row of small businesses

Shopkeepers in Swindon are concerned over a rise in thefts, and say more needs to be done in the local community to tackle the issue.

Crime data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show a 14% increase in shoplifting in Wiltshire in the 12 months to March 2024.

Vince Ayris, who runs an engraving and repair shop, has launched an informal crime stopping group in the community, where shopkeepers can share information.

The Whatsapp group, known as 'Operation Meerkat', contains 120 members from around the community.

Mr Aylis (L) says small businesses need more support from authorities

Ms Ayris says shopkeepers warn each other using information such as what thieves are wearing and which direction they are heading.

He says more should be done to support drug and alcohol addicts - who he believes are the main culprits.

"It's pretty rife at the moment because there's a lot of desperate people around that need to feed their addictions, and to do that, they steal from the shops," he said.

"We've got these people living on the fringes of town, so we are the hotspot for them to come to."

Mr Ayris installed CCTV cameras after someone smashed through the window of his shopfront to rob the goods inside

Havelock Street is an independent road full of small businesses, which Mr Ayris says he feels "very protective of".

"I'm trying to make an honest living here and these people are scaring my customers away," he said.

"I'd like to encourage more people to come into town, but it's going to take everybody on board to do this.

"We need to support the businesses that are here and move forward, it's called growth," he added.

Ms Archer said there need to be more police patrolling in the area

Another shopkeeper relying upon CCTV and the vigilance of the business community is Kelly Archer who runs Rowans Closet Arcadia.

"I had a guy come in who was 'so spiritual' apparently, but he felt the need to steal a rather large piece of crystal and walk away with it," she said.

"It was quite a special piece, I was selling it for a friend so I was even more upset for them than I was for myself."

Ms Archer posted a still of the footage online, and within minutes had people from the tight-knit community phoning her to identify him.

"He tried to give me excuses, but honestly he had none," Ms Archer continued.

"It was a random moment, he just felt like he needed to take it."

Ms Archer says she believes the solution to the problem is a more visual police presence to deter criminals from striking.

Wiltshire Police said retailers would now receive increased crime prevention measures, including additional CCTV coverage and officer patrols.