Southampton is the third worst city in the UK affected by shoplifting, data from a new survey suggests.

One in three residents in the city have witnessed shoplifting in the last 12 months according to a poll by the British Retail Consortium.

Some 28 per cent of locals say they have seen theft in front of them – the third worst in the UK behind Nottingham and London at 32 and 29 per cent respectively.

Since February 1 alone, the Echo has published 12 stories relating to police releasing CCTV imagery in shoplifting investigations and other small thefts within Southampton and surrounding boroughs.

Shocking data from the Office of National Statistics also revealed that Southampton saw a 25 per cent increase in shoplifting in 2024.

In 2022, 1,884 cases of shoplifting were reported.

This number saw a dramatic increase over the following two years, with 2,849 recorded in 2023 and 3,580 in 2024.

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These figures are for the 12 months preceding the September of each year.

Shocking data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) revealed that Southampton has seen a 25 per cent increase in shoplifting.

In 2022, 1,884 cases of shoplifting were reported.

This number saw a dramatic increase over the following two years, with 2,849 recorded in 2023 and 3,580 in 2024.

These figures are for the 12 months preceding the September of each year and Southampton’s figures were the highest in Hampshire.

A dedicated city centre team has been launched by Hampshire police in Southampton, with officers working to use effective disruptive tactics to tackle offending.

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"In addition, our specialist anti-social behaviour and business crime team look at further ways we can deal with shoplifting and bring offenders before the courts in an efficient and effective manner”, Chief Inspector Marcus Cator said.

He added: "While we have seen an increase in offences, we are also seeing a large increase in the formal action we have taken against offenders, especially those who repeatedly victimise stores and staff with their criminality.”

Nationally, the British Retail Consortium survey suggests nearly a quarter of the UK population have witnessed shoplifting in the last 12 months.

It also found 23% of customers have witnessed the physical or verbal abuse of shop staff, including racial or sexual abuse, physical assault or threats with weapons.