Crackdown on shoplifting in centre sees reduction in reported crimes

A crackdown on shoplifting in Bath city centre has seen a fall in the number of reported incidents.

Police officers on patrol | Photo © Avon & Somerset Police

In an update on Christmas Eve, the neighbourhood police said that before the Christmas Market began, they teamed up with Bath BID (Business Improvement District) for another Safer Business Action Day, which was held on 12th November.

They said: “We worked with Bath BID marshals, the Neighbourhood Tasking Team and extra officers working on overtime to patrol the city centre, deterring and detecting shop theft.”

Throughout the Christmas Market high levels of patrols were maintained on early and late shifts and the police attended daily briefings with the market’s team and other partners.

“These hi-vis patrols have contributed to a continuing reduction in the number of reported shop thefts in the city centre,” they said.

In a New Year’s update this week, the local policing team say they continue to work with shops to help them report accurately and effectively target the most prolific offenders.

“We are conducting proactive patrols in hotspot areas, and around stores most affected by shoplifters.”