Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Retail crime crackdown a key priority, PCC says

Retail crime crackdown a key priority, PCC says
Andy Dunbobbin (Photo: Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner North Wales)
Mandy Jones

By Liam Randall, Local Democracy Reporter

A recently re-elected Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has vowed to make tackling retail crime a key priority as he seeks public views on the most pressing local policing matters.


North Wales PCC Andy Dunbobbin, who was voted in for Labour in May, is asking residents for feedback on the main issues which the region’s police force should be addressing over the next four years.

As part of his role, the former Flintshire councillor has a duty to create a plan that sets the future direction for North Wales Police to fight crime across the area.

He is running a consultation from now until 27 September after urging people to tell him how they want to see their neighbourhoods policed.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Dunbobbin said reducing retail crime would be one of his main goals.

It follows figures published on Wednesday (24 July) showing that the number of shoplifting offences recorded by police in England and Wales has risen to a new 20-year high.

He said: “During the election campaign, I set out four priorities which were a local neighbourhood policing presence, supporting victims, communities and businesses, a fair and effective criminal justice system and a visible and responsible police and crime commissioner.

“It’s broadening it out from what I stood on at the previous election, and we’ve included businesses this time because of retail crime.

“Retail crime is really prominent, and I’ve campaigned with the Co-operative Party for safer streets and looking at how we can end retail crime.

“I’ve had good engagement from the Association of Convenience Stores, the Federation of Independent Retailers, as well as national companies.

“One of my responsibilities within the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners is that I’ll be having the retail crime portfolio.”

A total of 443,995 shoplifting offences were logged by police forces in the year to March 2024, up 30 per cent on the 342,428 recorded in the previous 12 months.

The figure is the highest since current records began in the year to March 2003, according to the Office for National Statistics, which described the latest increases as notable.

As well as retail crime, Dunbobbin said he was aiming to focus on serious organised crime and violence against women and girls as part of his Police and Crime Plan.

Residents can fill in the survey online in English or Welsh. Print copies are also available at libraries and police stations across North Wales.

People can also email OPCC@northwales.police.uk or write to the following address to request a copy: Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner North Wales, Police Headquarters, Glan y Don, Colwyn Bay, LL29 8AW.

(Local Democracy Reporting Service)

More for you

Glenshire Group appoints Dan Arrandale as property director

Glenshire Group appoints Dan Arrandale as property director

Scottish business conglomerate Glenshire Group has hired Daniel Arrandale as its new Property Director.

Starting in the newly created role last week, Arrandale brings a wealth of industry experience to the business, including his most recent position as Acquisitions Manager for Asda and his previous position as Development Manager at EG Group.

Keep ReadingShow less
Carlsberg Zero
Competition watchdog begins Carlsberg, Britvic merger probe
Competition watchdog begins Carlsberg, Britvic merger probe

Carlsberg shifts marketing focus as drinkers choose cheaper beer

Brewer Carlsberg is shifting some of its marketing focus to cheaper brands, it said on Thursday (31), as consumers in major markets bought cheaper beer and in reduced quantities.

The maker of Kronenbourg 1664, Tuborg and Somersby said beer sales volumes fell by 1.3 per cent in the third quarter, noting declines in China, France and the United Kingdom. Premium sales fell 0.5 per cent in the quarter."In Western Europe, there's no doubt that the average consumer is holding back," CEO Jacob Aarup-Andersen told Reuters.

Keep ReadingShow less
sustainability, zero waste store, refil lzone
Photo: iStock
Photo: iStock

Consumers value ethics though 'sustainability needs to be competitively priced'

Consumers now want a greater commitment from retailers in cutting food waste, refilling stations, sustainable packaging, and partnering with social purpose organisations, states a recent research, which also highlights that a good majority (69 per cent) of younger consumers are more likely to shop with what they see as socially responsible retailers though price sensitivity still plays a crucial role.

According to the findings, published in Vypr’s Consumer Horizon Report, reducing food waste is the most important factor for the majority of UK consumers (29 per cent), especially for Gen Z women aged 18-24 (38 per cent). More than a third (37 per cent) of men aged 18-24 said they needed food storage advice. A similar number of women aged 18-24 (33 per cent) want meal kits with the exact amount of ingredients included for them to cut down on food waste.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sugro-Wn-News.png
Sugro UK
Sugro UK

Sugro UK unveils new B2B digital enhancements to empower members, retailers

Sugro UK, the number one buying and marketing buying group*, in partnership with b2b.store, is thrilled to announce a further expansion of its existing E-Loyalty scheme programme, which has proven to be very popular with its members and retailers, by introducing E-Loyalty Extra Compliance and Execution scheme as well as E-Coupons.

The E-Loyalty Extra is aimed to boost compliance and execution at retail store level to drive new product launches, core range compliance, some exciting fixture trials with its supply partners and more! It will be available to all member owned and member affiliated retail stores within the group.

Keep ReadingShow less
Paulig acquires Panesar Foods

iStock image

Paulig acquires Panesar Foods

Expanding its footprint in the World Foods category, Paulig has acquired Panesar Foods, a prominent UK-based producer of sauces and condiments.

Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Tipton, Panesar Foods is a family-owned business with three production facilities, employing 308 staff and achieving a turnover of £59 million in the 2023 fiscal year.

Keep ReadingShow less