'One shoplifter hit my colleague in the eyes'

Shopkeepers and retail staff on a Portsmouth street have described feeling "too tired to complain" after reporting incidents of shoplifting to police, claiming there had been no responce.

One staff-member at a mini-market on Albert Road told the BBC: "A few weeks ago one of my colleagues caught someone shoplifting and then was hit in the eyes. It's horrible."

With official figures showing shoplifting incidents across Hampshire have risen by a third, Hampshire Constabulary said it made the "right calls for those at significant harm and risk."

It comes as Hampshire's police and crime commissioner (PCC) Donna Jones is supporting the development of a smartphone app to allow shopkeepers to speedily report shoplifting.

Another shop-owner on Albert Road, who did not want to be identified, said they had made over 150 shoplifting complaints but had not heard anything from the police.

"We are tired of complaining, so now we don't complain," said another retail worker.

One couple said they witnessed shoplifting on Albert Road "all the time".

"They take anything of value. The meats and stuff. But they can't be that hungry because they can run pretty fast," they said.

Security guard Abu said that Fridays and Saturdays are the worst time for shoplifting in the supermarket he works at.

"Before you could try and stop them but now you can't. Sometimes if I catch them they will just yell at you or abuse you and walk away."

Figures from the Office of National Statistics show shoplifting offences across Hampshire rose to 14,233 offences in the year to March 2024, compared with 10,252 offences during the previous 12 months.

Nationally, a House of Lords committee found shoplifting cost the retail sector nearly £2bn last year.

Ch Insp Marcus Cator of Hampshire Costabulary said: "There have been times where we have been particularly reducing our resources.

"The demand on Hampshire Constabulary across the year varies considerably - managing events like D-Day in Portsmouth, through to managing retail crime in high streets and protecting vulnerable people."

"We have to go to the right calls for those at significant harm and risk."

He said responsibility for private security guards lies with the retailers and policies vary between stores.

"Many retail chains have a policy of non-contact as they could have more concern for the welfare of their staff over the value of their property," he added.

Speaking on BBC Radio Solent, Hampshire PCC Ms Jones said there was "no way" the force would not respond to multiple incidents of shoplifting.

"This is a symptom of not having enough police officers, and the problem with shoplifting is a rise in drug addiction which people are doing to fund their addiction."

Ms Jones said a new smartphone app being developed will allow shopkeepers in Hampshire to upload CCTV images instantly to file a report that detectives can look at "really quickly".

Without outlining any specific dates, she also said the app - which will be paid for in the first year from the PCC's budget - would cost shopkeepers £20 a month.

"This is going to be a massive game changer for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight constabulary, but particularly for all retail workers", she said.

You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.