News

Shoplifting rises in poor economy

By Lorna Catling
May 07, 2009

Shoplifting in Bracknell Forest has shot up by 46 per cent in the last year, according to new crime figures.

The rise, which police chiefs say could be a result of the recession, contributed to an overall increase in the number of reported crimes of 2.9 per cent.

The total number of offences reported to the police in the year from April 2008 was 8,398 – a rise of 238 from the previous year.

Acting Chief Inspector Mark Harling, commander of Bracknell Forest police, said: “The rise could be because of the recession.

“But equally it could be because crime is more organised and we get people travelling in from other parts of Berkshire and from Surrey and Hampshire because we are positioned with really good transport links.

“I’m always looking for an improvement but I am reassured that we have got some really talented people here trying to deal with some of these problems.”

He said the rise in shoplifting was a “concern” and that they would be working closely with traders’ crime prevention group Bracknell: Businesses Against Crime to tackle the problem.

The number of assaults also went up – by 7.7 per cent from 504 to 543 – and reports of sexual offences increased from 69 to 80.

Some recorded crimes saw drops – thefts of vehicles fell by 8.4 per cent, burglaries dropped by 1.3 per cent, burglaries of non-dwelling by 12.3 per cent and theft from a person by 26.5 per cent.

Overall, the total number of reported offences remains lower than two years ago – in the year up to March 2007 – when there were 9,845 reported incidents.

Ch Insp Harling added: “Burglary is such a traumatic experience for people and there’s a tremendous amount of work put into preventing and solving burglaries so we are pleased to see this reduction.

“The fight against crime will continue throughout the year to come, in conjunction with our partners in Bracknell Forest Council, as well as town and parish councils, the many Neighbourhood Action Groups, Neighbourhood Watch schemes, community organisations and dedicated individuals who work together to make Bracknell Forest a safe place to live.

“Bracknell continues to be an incredibly safe place to live, if you take precautions in protecting your property and securing your property then that will continue to be the case for the residents of the borough.”

- Crime rates

2007/08 2008/09 Difference

All crime 8,160 8,398 + 238

Theft ofvehicles 320 293 - 27

Burglary 447 441 - 4

Shoplifting 577 846 + 269

Assault 504 543 + 39

Sex crimes 69 80 + 11

Theft from a person 98 72 - 26

Robbery 44 48 + 4

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