Hampshire: Workers report more abuse as shoplifting increases

Peter has been working on the high street in Southampton for six years

Shoplifting offences have been on the rise across the country for months. The police have promised a crackdown, but it is still taking a toll on some shop workers who regularly face threats and abuse.

In Southampton the number of cases has almost doubled in two years, from 679 in 2021 to 1,166 in 2023.

Across the rest of Hampshire, Dorset and the area covered by Thames Valley Police, officers have also seen an increase in shoplifting.

In the year to September 2023, a total of 30,876 cases were recorded across the area, up from 22,242 in the same period in 2021/2022.

The situation in the south of England matches the national trend, where there were 378,127 offences across the country, compared with 287,015 the year before, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.

Shoplifting figures have risen nationally

Peter is a supervisor at Greggs in Southampton and said he has been experiencing abusive behaviour from shoplifters for years.

"I was afraid that they're just going to be waiting outside for me or someone will just follow me home," the 27-year-old said.

The BBC was told by several other shop workers across the city they are facing the same issues.

The unit patrols the area to offer reassurance to business owners

Peter said for more than six years he has been working in shops in the city and dealing with "defensive" and "pushy" shoplifters.

"Every time I try and stop them or try and restrict them taking items, they either start pushing slightly or get quite aggressive most of the time," he said.

But for the last couple of months, Southampton shop workers like Peter have been able to receive faster support thanks to an increased number of police officers in the city centre.

The BBC spent a day patrolling with them, witnessing officers being verbally abused and threatened with being spat at during the arrest of one suspected shoplifter.

PC Jay told the BBC drug and drink addictions were the cause of many shoplifting cases in the city. "It's a vicious cycle. They can't get out of it," she said.

"But we do everything that we can for them on the referral side of things and at the end of the day, it's their choice whether they take it or not."

As part of a national plan to help police to crackdown on theft, officers have committed to attend more crime scenes.

In Southampton, the increased number of police officers patrolling the streets has resulted in 136 arrests.

Ryan, a Police Community Support Officer, said: "We had a lady, I won't name the shop, but almost in tears of happiness feeling safe coming to work.

"It's been a long time where she hasn't felt safe and doesn't have to challenge shoplifters on a daily basis because there is an increased police presence."

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