Police in Southampton say they are continuing to crack down on shoplifting as new data for Hampshire revealed that retail crime increased by a third this year.

The Office For National Statistics revealed that more than 11,000 of these offences were reported to Hampshire police in 2023: a 32 per cent increase compared to 2022.

Making matters worse is that, according to the force, only about nine per cent of all retail crimes in Southampton are actually reported.

READ MORE: Southampton's new anti-shoplifting police unit makes arrest

To this end, the force launched a City Centre Unit last month - comprised of a sergeant and several police constables whose top priorities are on retail crime and antisocial behaviour in the city centre - along with street robbery and vagrancy.

This is in line with a shift towards a more local model of policing brought in by Chief Constable Scott Chilton after he joined the force in February.

A force spokesperson said: “Recently, we have shared many cases where those committing shoplifting offences have been brought before the courts and sentenced for their crimes.

“The City Centre Unit's first week alone saw them make 26 arrests, summons nine people to court and issue 20 out of court disposals, including community resolutions and conditional cautions.

“A number of people have also been charged with shoplifting offences in the city centre.”

The day to day work of patrolling the city centre also goes hand in hand with a longer term plan to reducing crimes impacting local businesses.

This involves the police working with partners including Southampton City Council, Go! Southampton - which represents local businesses - the Two Saints homelessness charity and the Change Grow Live rehabilitation centre.

Shop workers in the city centre have previously told the Echo that their staff have been threatened with knives and spat on.

Speaking ahead of the launch of the new police unit, Richard Inglis, director of three franchised Co-Op Welcome Stores in the city, said: At our store on Harbour Parade, a well-known offender decided to break into our storeroom.

"When she was approached by a member of staff, she pulled out a knife.

“The staff member managed to disarm the shoplifter and detain her until the police arrived.”