Officers from Neighbourhood Teams across Cumbria supported national Safer Business Action Week last week (10-16 Nov) - a week of action led by the National Business Crime Centre focusing on tackling retail crime, anti-social behaviour and other crimes impacting businesses in local communities.
Throughout the week, teams carried out high visibility and plain clothed patrols, visited local retailers and conducted targeted activities with partner agencies including Trading Standards.
Teams visited a number of businesses providing retail crime prevention advice, deter criminality and speak about the Shop Watch Scheme.
The Copeland Neighbourhood Policing Team visited 25 local shops and farms to provide crime prevention advice and handed out 21 Selecta DNA kits to local businesses. Officers also conducted two days of activity to target shoplifting; no arrests were made but a number of businesses engaged with.
The Carlisle Neighbourhood Policing Team conducted a proactive operation in Carlisle city centre on 12 November resulting in three positive stop searches for drugs. Officers also arrested a man on suspicion a shoplifting offence. Across the week officers also engaged with a number of businesses.
The South Lakes Neighbourhood Policing Team carried out a number of events across the week offering tool marking and a drop in providing advice to businesses with the PFCC Dave Allen.
The Allerdale Neighbourhood Policing Team on Wednesday conducted a joint operation with Trading Standards to target illicit tobacco. During the operation officers located illicit tobacco and cigarettes at a store in Maryport under a bin bag with assistant by a dog. Items were also located at stores on Vulcans Lane and Washington Street in Workington.
The Eden Neighbourhood Policing Team conducted arrest enquiries in Sunderland which resulted in Claire Todd, 52, of Fulwell Road, Sunderland was charged with six counts of theft from a shop from stores in Kendal, Penrith and Kirby Stephen on 11 November. She is to appear at Barrow Magistrates on 5 January 2026.
The Barrow Neighbourhood Policing Team carried out a shoplifting operation in uniform and plain clothes, with several stop searches complete. Officers from the team also carried out patrols in the town centre, in Barrow there were only five incidents of anti-social behaviour recorded all week with a reduction of 32% compared to the same period last year. The team has also welcomed five PCSOs to the team who have been out introducing themselves to local businesses. Officers also had several key businesses sign up to our CCTV registration scheme and have completed an extensive leaflet drop and visit to shops and businesses to encourage reporting of any issues at the time and registration of CCTV schemes.
Chief Inspector Lee Skelton said: “Throughout Safer Business Action Week, our local neighbourhood policing teams have been out engaging with retailers, gaining insight into the challenges they face day-to-day.
“A strong partnership between police, partners, and the business community remains a priority for the force to allow us to identify those responsible for retail offences.
“While this week highlights our commitment, our officers are consistently working year-round to support local businesses and tackle issues such as shoplifting and abuse towards staff.
“We know retail crime is not a minor issue. It affects livelihoods, damages our high streets, and leaves lasting impacts on victims.
“We will continue to pursue those who target our communities and retailers and bring offenders before the courts to ensure justice is served.”
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “We are seeing a rise in retail crime nationally and Cumbria, whilst seeing a lower rate of rise, is no exception.
“This is why it’s so important that the Police work alongside businesses to reduce shoplifting and shop worker abuse – I’m pleased to see the Constabulary raise awareness around the work they do as part of Safer Business Action Week.
“Many of Cumbria’s businesses are independent and any theft can seriously affect their livelihood disproportionately – we want our local businesses to grow and thrive, which in turn helps build and strengthen our communities, so we must tackle retail crime head on.
“Abuse to shop workers, or anyone for that matter, is absolutely unacceptable – everyone deserves to be treated with respect and kindness. I’d urge workers and the public to report any abuse to the Police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.
“In terms of shoplifting, we know that the majority is for essential items that some people may not be able to afford as part of the cost-of-living increases.
“I would really urge those who are considering shoplifting due to their financial situation to look at other avenues – there is support around you. You don’t need to turn to crime to support yourself and your family.
“There are food banks across Cumbria. You can find your nearest one at www.foodbanks.co.uk/food-bank-location or if you need help with baby supplies, there are baby banks in county as well, which can be found at www.littlevillagehq.org/uk-baby-banks/. If you are looking for support around finances, citizens advice can help with information – your local branch can be found at on their website.”