Taking back control of our High Streets as Southampton sees huge rise in retail crime charge rate

The Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, has reaffirmed her commitment to reducing shop theft and High Street crime after visiting Southampton’s dedicated City Centre Policing Unit this month.

The PCC joined officers on a walkabout in the city with the Cabinet Member for Communities and Safer City, Councillor Christie Lambert, to witness the Unit’s commitment to bearing down on crime in the town centre.

Southampton’s City Centre Policing Unit was launched in November 2023 marking the beginning of an increased police presence in the High Street after a significant rise in shop theft and retail crime. Made up of a Police Sergeant, seven Police Constables, and two PCSOs the Unit focuses on tackling shoplifting, retail crime, drug dealing, violence and threats against shop staff, street robberies, vagrancy, and anti-social behaviour.

In the Unit’s first six months of operation, 539 formal outcomes were taken against offenders including 98 charges/summons to court and 90 out of court disposals.

It doesn’t stop there – Southampton policing has seen a 118% increase in the charge/summons rate for retail crime between May 2024 and September 2024, and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary was hailed as the best force for responding to retail crime according to a report released by the British Retail Consortium last month.

Patrolling alongside officers, PCC Donna Jones said: “For too long, High Streets have been neglected, business owners have been left to fend for themselves, and organised crime gangs have taken advantage of that vulnerability. This is changing.

“Shop theft and business crime is linked to serious and organised crime, violence, and drugs. Crime on our High Streets is just the tip of the iceberg which is why the Chief Constable and I are committed to tackling crimes on our High Streets.”

Southampton Chief Inspector Chris Douglas said: “Since launching in November 2023, the City Centre Unit has had a significant impact on criminality and anti-social behaviour in Southampton’s city centre. The team has focused on disrupting those who are repeatedly targeting shops and businesses in the city, making the lives of staff a misery and making it difficult for shoppers to enjoy the city centre. So far, and thanks to the work of the team, Southampton city centre’s most prolific offenders have been sentenced to a number of years in prison.

“We have been pleased to showcase our work to the Commissioner and hear the positive feedback from shop staff and retailers and want to reassure them that the work of the city centre unit will not stop.”

Councillor Christie Lambert, Cabinet Member for Communities and Safer City at Southampton City Council, said: “I was pleased to be able to accompany the Police and Crime Commissioner on a visit to the dedicated City Centre Policing Unit in Southampton. This experience highlighted the importance of our partnership and provided valuable insight into how we can continue working together to tackle criminality in the area so that we can create a safer city for everybody. While there is still so much work to be done, I am grateful to all of our partners for their tremendous efforts in making Southampton a safer and more enjoyable city, and I am looking forward to seeing further progress in tackling serious crime in our city.”

PCC Donna Jones concluded: “Across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, charge rates are up and crime has gone down by almost 7,000 crimes a year. In Southampton alone, the retail crime charge/summons rate has skyrocketed. The city centre will also benefit from a newly refurbished police base opening soon in West Quay.

“There is still more to be done but with the support from partners and businesses, the police are taking back control of our High Streets.”