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Hello
This week, I chaired a retail crime panel at the National Acquisitive Crime Conference, bringing together experts from policing, business and community safety organisations to discuss one of the most pressing issues facing our high streets today.
Retail crime remains a major concern for businesses across the country - including here in Sussex. Beyond the financial cost, it has a very real human impact on shop workers who too often face theft, intimidation, violence and abuse in the course of doing their jobs.
Joining me on the panel were Mohammed Qazi from the Safer Business Network, Jon Ellis from Tesco, Chief Inspector Stewart Codling of Thames Valley Police and Inspector Emma Wright from Police Scotland. Together, we explored whether current efforts to tackle retail crime are making a difference, the growing role of organised criminality, and how stronger collaboration between retailers, police and government can deliver better results.
From intelligence-sharing and targeted action against prolific offenders to the use of technology and innovative prevention strategies, it is clear that no single organisation can solve this problem alone.
As Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, I remain committed to ensuring that retail crime is taken seriously and that those working in our shops can do so safely. Events such as this provide an invaluable opportunity to share best practice, challenge existing approaches and strengthen the partnerships needed to protect businesses and communities alike.
Retail crime is not a victimless offence. By continuing to work together, we can make our town centres safer, support local businesses and send a clear message that this type of criminal behaviour will not be tolerated.
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