Police chiefs say shops should have 'greeters' to put off shoplifters, but hit out at lack of jail time for repeat offenders

Daily Mail​

a day ago

Shopkeepers should deploy 'greeters' to say hello to customers to deter shoplifting, a police force has said.
Lancashire Constabulary issued the advice to business owners amid a surge in thefts, with nearly three a minute reported in England and Wales.
The guidance comes as the total thefts reached 530,643 in the year to March, at an estimated cost of £1.8bn to retailers.
And a policing chief has said there is little deterrent for thieves because they are so often freed by courts to steal again.
Katy Bourne, the national lead for shoplifting at the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, said: 'People have got to know that they're going to get caught and that there's a meaningful deterrent when they do it. There is no point arresting shoplifters if there is no effective deterrent.'
Lancashire Police launched Operation Vulture last year, which encouraged businesses to use 'customer greeters' to cut down on crime.
In an online guide called How to Deter a Shoplifter, the force advised: 'By greeting genuine shoppers, not only does this provide a positive impression of your store, it also deters potential shoplifters.
'An offender is less likely to shoplift if they sense that they are to be seen and noticed by staff.'
The force also advised shopworkers to offer assistance to customers who were acting suspiciously, and install warning signs reminding thieves that they would be reported to police.
'A shoplifter is not always creeping round like in the movies,' the force said in separate guidance.
'They can sometimes be trying to keep a low profile, and avoiding attention. They might look anxious or flushed, looking around the shop constantly to see if they are being watched.'
The guidance added: 'Their clothing might also give them away. For example, if they are wearing heavy, baggy clothing in warm weather this might indicate they are using this baggy clothing to hide stolen items. If the person has a large bag, this might also be an indication.'
Workers who witnessed anyone taking goods without paying for them should ask them to replace the items in a 'calm and neutral tone,' the guidance states.
'Always be sure they've taken something before you speak to them – and only if you feel it's safe to do so,' it added.
The force also acknowledged that tough economic factors meant that 'for some residents in Lancashire, stealing may feel like their only choice.'
Highlighting a cost of living guide made by the local council, the guidance continues: 'All offenders will be dealt with appropriately and while tackling crime we must also address the underlying problems which may lead to these negative behaviours.'
Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson has warned shopkeepers not to display products such as bottles of alcohol at the front of stores because they will be targeted by thieves.
She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'That is an issue in some stores, that they put bottles of alcohol at the front of the store which obviously people will nick. If they are going to steal to resell, they will nick items like that.'
She also rejected the notion that the public had a duty to tackle shoplifters rather than rely on police, which was put forward last week by Conservative police and crime commissioner Matthew Barber.
Meanwhile, the Government is developing a 'Minority Report-style' AI system to predict crime before it happens. Science and technology secretary Peter Kyle announced the system will use real-time data to create an interactive crime map of England and Wales to detect, track and predict where crime will occur. The £4million project is expected to go live by 2030.