Ryde residents and retailers meet with PCC and MP

Retail crime, anti-social behaviour and police visibility were the keys issues as dozens of residents and retailers in Ryde voiced their concerns to Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, and Isle of Wight East MP Joe Robertson.

Problems caused by shoplifting, anti-social hotspots and speeding cars were high on the list of priorities for those attending the packed public meeting at Yelf’s Hotel in the town, which also included many local councillors from across the Island.

The issues of retail crime were raised as part of a discussion around UKPAC, a new innovative crime reporting app which reduces reporting times for businesses, helps collate trends and high profile offenders using AI, making policing and prosecuting those offences easier.

The Police Commissioner is funding a year of free access to the UKPAC system for businesses across Hampshire and Isle of Wight, with key interest shown from those running pubs and clubs too. Hundreds of businesses across the two counties have already signed up, including Frasers Group which owns Sports Direct.

Donna Jones said: “Many businesses on the Isle of Wight and across Hampshire are battling to protect their staff and their stock from the rise in shoplifting offences. Shop theft leaves many retailers feeling helpless and much of it is carried out by repeat offenders.

“UKPAC is the biggest investment I have made so far to tackle retail crime and will help the businesses which have been crying out for a quicker, simpler and easier way to report these crimes to police – while providing officers with the evidence they need to catch offenders and put them before the courts.

“This initiative supports retailers and helps to drive down crime in towns like Ryde to make it a safer place for everyone.

“One of my pledges as Police Commissioner was also to increase police visibility, introducing the Local Bobby scheme – so that everyone in Ryde, across the Island and in Hampshire can find out who their local officer is, and see how to contact them about issues affecting their area.

“Another key focus I have placed upon Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary is to tackle anti-social behaviour. Whether this is caused by on-street drinking, drug taking, feeding those habits or from noisy, reckless driving at excess speed around the roads – the police are determined to reduce these offences.

“To do this though, we need the public to report them to the police – the more reports there are, the more action can be taken.

“I was heartened by the response from business owners and the public at our meeting and I will take on board their views and the comments made in respect of Ryde-specific concerns.”

Joe Robertson MP said: “I was pleased to co-host this meeting with Donna Jones, supported by John McLagan from Ryde Business Forum. It gave business owners and residents the opportunity to question police representatives directly, not just from Ryde, but the wider East Wight area.

“There is an exciting opportunity to bring modern, comprehensive CCTV coverage to Ryde if the new Neighbourhood Board is prepared to invest and the Town Council is willing to support.

“More widely, local business owners can now download and take advantage of the UKPAC App for free to combat retail crime and improve prosecution rates. We will be following up with a similar event in Sandown later in the year.”

The Police and Crime Commissioner funding of £177,548 ensures that businesses across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight can access UKPAC free of charge until April 2026. This provides businesses with a powerful, proactive tool that helps them report crime quickly, while it also helps police track offenders, share intelligence and put prolific shop thieves before a court.

Further information on UKPAC and the benefits to businesses across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight can be found at UKPAC