Shoplifting Reaches ‘Unprecedented’ Levels In Market Harborough

Shop owners in Market Harborough say they are experiencing unprecedented levels of theft.

There has been an 11% increase in shoplifting incidents in the past year, with 137 offences reported to Police.

Traders say there is an incident of theft or attempted theft on an almost daily basis, while they have also seen a rise in abuse and anti-social behaviour.

Flick Voss owns The Attic dress agency and is a member of the Harbs Collective, which is made-up of the town’s independent retailers.

She told HFM the situation is a big concern:

Market Harborough town centre

Shops and businesses share details of incidents via a WhatsApp group and Police are also part of it.

Incidents of shoplifting have risen nationwide and Sergeant Pete Jelbert from Market Harborough Police station spoke to HFM:

Central England Co-Op is demanding better protection for staff

The Central England Co-Op is demanding more is done to tackle retail crime, after revealing a 59% increase across its trading estate last year.

The retailer, which has a store in Market Harborough and others across the area, is calling on government to introduce a specific offence to criminalise assaults on shop workers, after the rise in shoplifting with mirrored by an increase violence and abuse towards its staff.

Lee Dillow is Head of Trading Support at Central England Co-Op: