Dorset Police have designated shoplifting as one of the Top 3 local priorities for the Bournemouth South Neighbourhood Policing Team as part of a renewed push to protect local businesses and shoppers from rising retail theft. The priority was updated on February 9, 2026, following figures showing 5,202 shoplifting offences in Dorset for the year ending September 2025.
Officers say they will step up targeted patrols in town‑centre retail hotspots — including Commercial Road, Old Christchurch Road and The Square — as part of intelligence‑led operations such as Operation Shopkeeper and Operation Spotter. Operation Shopkeeper targets prolific offenders, while the local Against Business Crime partnership has introduced a digital reporting platform (SentrySIS) to make it easier and quicker for retailers to submit incident reports, CCTV and witness statements to the police.
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick has highlighted the tougher stance on retail crime and pointed to measures in the Crime and Policing Bill (2024–26) that would create a standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker, giving police and courts additional tools to tackle aggressive behaviour toward shop staff. (At the time of reporting these measures are in parliamentary progress, and the force continues to use existing powers alongside partnership tools.)
Bournemouth Town Centre BID — which represents more than 700 levy‑paying businesses — is working with Dorset Police and partner agencies to introduce an exclusion‑notice scheme that will allow participating businesses to ban repeat shoplifting offenders from entering their premises. The BID’s chief operating officer, Paul Kinvig, and local partners say the scheme, together with shared intelligence and the digital reporting system, will help retailers act collectively to deter and enforce against known offenders.
Police say they will deploy both visible and plain‑clothed officers in the town centre to catch offenders and provide reassurance to staff and the public. The combined approach aims to reduce theft, support local shops and protect retail workers from intimidation.
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