Local retailers across England and Wales are contacting their police and crime commissioner candidates to highlight the impact of crime on their business after the latest figures from ACS’ Crime Survey revealed that 93% of retailers have experienced some form of shop theft in the past three months.

James Lowman, ACS chief executive, said: “Police and Crime Commissioners represent the biggest change in policing in a generation and retailers need to get retail crime on the agenda.  PCCs first role will be to develop Police and Crime Plans setting out priority issues and retail crime needs to be high on that list.”

On November 15, elections will be held in England and Wales to appoint police crime commissioners (PCCs) in 43 constituencies, excluding London. These PCCs will have a key role in communities, aiming to tackle and reduce crime in neighborhoods, including those that may affect local shops, such as shoplifting, verbal abuse or the sale of age-restricted items. 

ACS has developed a pro forma letter and briefing for retailers to send to their PCC candidates inviting them to discuss retail crime face to face.  The pro forma letter and briefing is available on the ACS website.