RATES of shoplifting are on the rise in Newton Abbot but retailers say they are frustrated at a lack of police action.

They say very few cases are prosecuted and police are relying on the use of a civil recovery scheme to tackle the problem.

Prolific offenders are ‘rarely’ brought before the courts and the increase in thefts is pushing up prices in stores, retail bosses say.

And they predict the cost of living crisis is only expected to compound the problem.

In the process, some shop staff are being verbally and physically threatened.

News of the issues in Teignbridge comes as national retailers, including luxury goods store Fortnum and Mason, complain about a sharp upturn in thefts and a ‘loss of faith’ in the police service.

Tom Hirst, of Newton Abbot Security Trust, estimates shoplifting incidents have risen by at least 25 per cent in the last few years and he fears the issue is likely to spiral.

Town Development Manager Sally Henley is urging businesses to report any incidents of theft to ensure crime figures record the level of the problem.

In response, police in Devon and Cornwall say they will ‘investigate where ‘sufficient evidence and justification is available’.

Newton Abbot Security Trust manager Tom told the Mid Devon Advertiser: ‘Crime is crime and theft is theft.

‘But people aren’t being prosecuted because it is not considered to be in the public interest which really is not acceptable. In general shoplifting has been reduced to a very low priority.

‘The cost of living crisis will just make it worse and this will mean prices will go up.

‘Retailers need to offset the cost of any losses somewhere and it is going to get worse – that is a fact.

‘We need to be able to deter people before they steal which means knowing who is about, watching them and making them aware we are about.’

He says a ‘co-ordinated’ approach is needed to deal with the problem and while civil recovery action is possible, it still incurs a cost to retailers who may never recoup the loss of revenue.

He hears that across the country, security groups are reporting a lack of prosecutions for shoplifting.

However, Tom, who heads up the town’s CCTV network, explained that anyone stealing food, when it was clear it was to feed a family, was dealt with differently and they would be directed to a foodbank.

But he said many of the issues relating to shoplifting are drug and substance abuse.

Chief Inspector John Shuttleworth, leading the teams specialising in investigating offences such as shoplifting in Devon and Cornwall, said: ‘We understand that shoplifting offences have a number of ramifications for the wider communities and local businesses.

‘Shoplifting can often mask a number of wider issues from drug misuse to homelessness.

‘And the losses to local business can have a huge impact on profitability, especially at a time when the costs of running local businesses are increasing.’

Since the beginning of January, investigative officers have reviewed nearly 3,000 reports of shoplifting across Devon and Cornwall and conducted further inquiries on about half of these reports.

This includes reviewing CCTV or seeking identity of suspects through descriptions and digital stills.

The police say officers will investigate where ‘sufficient evidence and justification is available’.

Businesses are being encouraged to report shoplifting and to make good use of CCTV within their outlets.

CI Shuttleworth said: ‘With shoplifting, CCTV is often the most suitable evidence, and we ask businesses to support our new process for sending CCTV to us, digitally, via the cloud, once the footage has been viewed by staff to identify the offence.

‘We would encourage businesses to report incidents of shoplifting where the evidence is clear, and the store feels it is appropriate for the police to be contacted.’

Mrs Henley said: ‘Over recent years it has become noticeable that the police do not seem to see shoplifting as much of a priority.

‘I know that this is upsetting for retailers and for consumers, who will inevitably be paying a higher price for goods to compensate for shrinkage costs.

‘Staffing in shops has reduced and it has become a challenge balancing the desire to promote goods, with the art of deterring theft.

‘I know that in some cases retailers and people in general have stopped reporting both theft and antisocial behaviour, because it seems that the police are reluctant to take action.

‘This lack of consequence is surely a good motivator for criminals to continue with their activity. However, my own view is that its really important that we all report every crime and obtain a reference number.

‘In this way, the crime figures which the police are required to produce, are a proper reflection of incidents of crime rather than only a reflection of those crimes, which have been reported.

‘In other words ‘Log It or Lump It’. We cant complain about crimes going unresolved and unpunished if we don’t let the police know about them.

‘There are three ways to report crime at the moment, by phone, by email or by using the ‘chat’ facility and the excellent news is that here in Newton Abbot we will have a fourth way, as our police station is due to open soon and anyone will be able to drop by. I felt very encouraged at Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s new directive to the police, as we all know how under pressure policing is. A focus upon core aims of deterring and detecting crime is surely a very good thing!’

Complaints around Teignbridge have come as luxury London store Fortnum and Mason says it has given up calling the police to apprehend shoplifters.

It says it is using private detectives instead and bringing its own prosecutions against thieves who have stolen from their stores.

The company says it has ‘lost faith’ in the police and fears the cost of living crisis is sparking a surge in shoplifting.