The number of shoplifting cases in the region has surged in the past five years, whilst just 19% of cases recorded by Thames Valley Police resulted in a charge, according to House of Commons Library data analysed by the Liberal Democrats.
Clive Jones, MP for Wokingham, is calling for a return to genuine community policing, and has said the government should make a ‘Police Counter Promise’, which would guarantee a staffed police desk in communities across Wokingham.
The Liberal Democrats say a visible police presence would rebuild public confidence that local crime in our brilliant community here in Wokingham is taken seriously.
Shoplifting in the Thames Valley has skyrocketed in the past five years, with 20,031 cases recorded by Thames Valley Police last year, up a staggering 136.16% since 2020/21.
Meanwhile, of the shoplifting cases reported to Thames Valley Police just 3840 resulted in a charge last year – less than 20% – with a huge number of suspects getting away scot free.
The Lib Dems have also raised concerns that shoplifting is particularly hitting small businesses on our high streets in Wokingham who are already under mounting pressure from rising energy bills, unfair business rates and extra costs from the chancellor’s National Insurance Contribution rise.
Jones has called for a 5p VAT cut for our hospitality businesses and urgent reform of the business rates system to breathe life back into our high streets.
He said: “Our high street is the lifeblood of Wokingham, yet local businesses are struggling with a surge in shoplifting that treats our local shops like easy targets.
“This is the direct result of years of Conservative cuts to community policing, followed by Labour’s failure to fix the damage.
“It is unacceptable that the hardworking people in our local stores are being left to fend for themselves.
“Our independent businesses are already fighting to survive rising costs and business rates, they shouldn’t have to worry about shoplifting too.
“It was only last year the Conservative police and crime commissioner was suggesting to councillors in the region that members of the public should be putting themselves in harm’s way to stop shoplifting.
“Meanwhile, on his watch, the number of offences is skyrocketing.
“We need more than just promises, the Liberal Democrats are calling for a return to real neighbourhood policing, with bobbies on the beat and dedicated police counters right here in Wokingham, so that our fantastic local shoppers and shopkeepers are kept safe.”
