Issued by Humberside Police
As the festive season approaches, we remain committed to preventing retail crime and keeping shopping areas safe by working closely with local retailers and partners during one of the busiest times of the year.
This work also supports the Home Office’s Winter of Action, a continuation of the Safer Streets Summer initiative.
Retail crime includes offences such as shoplifting, and abuse or intimidation of shop workers.
It can involve opportunistic theft, such as taking items without paying, or organised criminal groups targeting high value goods.
These crimes don’t just affect businesses, they impact staff, customers, and communities.
This often increases in the run-up to Christmas, with busy shopping areas and high-value goods making stores attractive targets for retail crime.
While many see Christmas as a time for giving, some see it as an opportunity to take.
The impact goes far beyond the shop floor, creating a ripple effect of harm affecting business owners, staff, and ultimately customers.
Chief Inspector Alasdair Booth, force lead for retail crime, said: “Christmas is a time for giving, but unfortunately, it can also be a time when criminals take advantage.
“With homes filled with gifts and shopping areas busier than ever, the risk of theft and burglary increases.
“The impact of retail crime should not be underestimated, and this isn’t just financial.
“Unfortunately, those facing the perpetrators of retail crime are shop workers.
“This often comes with verbal abuse, intimidation, and in some cases physical threats, which is completely unacceptable.
“No one should feel unsafe or threatened at work, and we will not tolerate this behaviour.
“Business owners face financial losses, staff experience stress and fear, and customers ultimately pay the price when retailers are forced to increase costs to cover losses.
“We take all reports of shop theft seriously and assess cases individually.
“We do not work to a monetary value threshold for prosecuting offenders.
“Our focus is on identifying repeat offenders quickly and preventing further harm.
“According to the latest quarterly crime figures from the Office for National Statistics, Humberside Police has seen a 0.8% decrease in shoplifting, compared to an over 12% increase nationally.
“This shows that our partnership work and targeted policing are having an impact – but we’re not complacent.
“This Christmas, our Neighbourhood Policing Teams will be active in shopping areas, engaging with local retailers and communities to offer support and help deter crime.
“There will also be deterrent messaging placed on digital screens in high footfall locations aimed at potential perpetrators.
“We continue to work closely with Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, North Lincolnshire Council, North East Lincolnshire Council, and other partner agencies to ensure a joined-up approach to preventing retail crime.
“By sharing information, improving communication across retail premises, and providing crime prevention advice, we can support businesses and make shopping areas safer and more resilient during the festive season and beyond.
“Our collaboration also focuses on reducing repeat offending by targeting those responsible and seeking Criminal Behaviour Orders through the courts where appropriate.”
HullBID will again be working to support Humberside Police in making it a safe and happy Christmas for people shopping and celebrating in Hull city centre.
Jim Harris, Chair of HullBID, said: “We are very proud of the direct support we give to the police and to retailers throughout the year and we all step up our efforts at this busiest time of the year to make it a profitable Christmas for city centre businesses and a safe and joyous time for their staff and customers.
“Our members have also played a big part this year in tackling antisocial behaviour by supporting the extension of the Public Space Protection Order, and people enjoying the festive season in the city centre will feel the benefit of that.”
If you witness any suspicious activity or have information about retail crime, we encourage you to report it via our non-emergency number 101, or anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
