Crackdown on shop thefts in Newbury

Police to increase patrols in shopping areas in and around the town ahead of Christmas

POLICE are launching an operation to crack down on retail thefts in Newbury in the run up to Christmas.

Newbury's neighbourhood policing teams, together with the special constabulary, are to increase visible patrols in several retail areas across the town, including the Newbury Retail Park, the town centre and the out of town shopping areas on London Road.

The aim of the operation is to prevent and detect crimes and Sgt Andy Bone, who is leading the operation, said: “An offence prevented is far better than an offence detected.

“We will be more visible and we are there to prevent crime in the run up to Christmas to make sure that everyone has a good Christmas.”

Sgt Bone added that police were aware of people coming from out-of-town and targeting stores and shoppers, adding that this was a key thing for police to prevent.

The latest crime figures across West Berkshire show that while overall crime across West Berkshire has fallen by around 13.5 per cent, there has been an upward trend in shoplifting with 31 more incidents (a 4.4 per cent rise) in the seven months ending November 30, compared to the same period last year.

Sgt Bone added that the public perception was increased at Christmas, with any incidents often being more personal.

He said that historically, police had run similar operations in the lead up to Christmas, adding that last year's operation was about ‘Catch and Convict', although he said a priority for police this year was around public reassurance and denying offenders opportunities.

The police operation is likely to run up until Christmas Eve.