A crimefighter is calling for a tougher stance against shoplifting.
Stuart Brotherton, a retired policeman and now in charge of the Shopwatch scheme, is calling for everyone to make a stand against what is often considered a “victimless crime”.
He believes it is far from victimless, as it can mean the difference between profit and loss for small businesses and push up prices for shoppers.
Nationally, shoplifting costs £700million.
He has recently met with South Holland and the Deepings MP John Hayes, calling on the Government to introduce tougher sentences for shoplifters who repeatedly appear before the courts.
Mr Brotherton says most shoplifters are only given a fine, or at the very most a few days in prison, regardless of how many times they have been before the courts previously for similar offences.
He said: “Shoplifting is classed as a low level crime and shoplifters know the punishment if they get caught will be low level too. There is no deterrent and in my opinion that needs to change.
“John Hayes was working with the Justice Minister to see what can be done to support retailers and bring down these people.”
In the meantime, Mr Brotherton is calling on retailers in South Holland to make their own stand against shoplifters by using the Shopwatch scheme to present a “united front” against the problem.
Members of the scheme provide information to each other using a radio system which can alert others to known offenders operating in the area and of people acting suspiciously.
Mr Brotherton also maintains a “rogues gallery” of known offenders who are banned from entering Shopwatch premises.
He said: “Everyone needs to get tough on shoplifting.
“When you look at Spalding and Holbeach, there are a lot of small businesses who have gone through tough times in the past few years and to suffer stock loss through shoplifting, they can’t live with it.
“Even small losses can make a significant difference to a small business and I think everyone needs to stand together and get tough on shoplifting.
“It will make things better for businesses and make for a more enjoyable shopping experience for consumers as shoplifting can put people off coming to a town and in the long run put prices up.
“Everyone can play their part. Retailers need to report shoplifting, as I believe they sometimes feel it is not worth reporting, and shoppers should report anything suspicious to shop staff.”
Shopwatch is already up and running in Spalding and Holbeach but Mr Brotherton hopes the scheme will soon expand to Springfields Outlet Shopping and to the night-time economy with a PubWatch scheme.
