Police commissioner and council leader visit row of Northampton shops after 'absolute scumbags' theft complaints
The police commissioner and West Northamptonshire Council leader have visited businesses in one Northampton high street after residents complained that "absolute scumbags" were stealing from shops "over and over again".
Police commissioner Danielle Stone and council leader Mark Arnull met retailers in Alexandra Terrace and Harborough Road, Kingsthorpe, this month (June) to discuss crime concerns, hear first-hand accounts from shop workers and outline efforts to tackle repeat offending in the area.
The visit follows concerns raised by residents and businesses and reported on by Chronicle & Echo about repeated shoplifting incidents in Kingsthorpe.
In May, a grandmother called for more action after a theft at the Mind charity shop in Alexandra Terrace.
She said: "Another robbery today from Kingsthorpe, Mind charity shop in broad daylight. He just strolled in, took approximately £100 worth of dress jewellery in a glass case, smashed open the glass case outside the snooker club, and took off. Absolute scumbags who get away with it, over and over again."
At the time, West Northamptonshire Council said 16 shop thefts had been reported in the area over a two-month period, while Northamptonshire Police said several arrests had been made and further operations were planned.
During their visit, Ms Stone and councillor Arnull joined neighbourhood police officers to speak directly with retailers about the impact of shoplifting and how businesses can be supported.
Ms Stone said: "Staff in Kingsthorpe have said they don't always feel safe, with shoplifting contributing towards a sense of insecurity at work.
"So, I joined the leader of the council to listen and engage with many shop workers in the area as an opportunity to identify risks and prevent harm."
She added that there was already a strong working relationship between retailers and neighbourhood police officers, but said there was “a need, and a clear appetite, to strengthen this further”.
Cllr Arnull said: "It was really valuable to hear directly from retailers about the challenges they're facing.
"While there had been an increase in shop theft until earlier this year, it's important to be clear these incidents didn't involve violence, but were understandably impacting confidence and people's sense of safety.
"I'm reassured that Northamptonshire Police are taking targeted action, including arrests and proactive operations, while working closely with businesses to strengthen prevention measures."
Police and council representatives also discussed crime prevention measures and support available to tackle repeat offending and shoplifting in the area.
The leaders said they would continue working with businesses, police and residents to help improve community safety in Kingsthorpe.