Prolific shoplifters to be offered targeted support in Southampton

A project aimed at rehabilitating prolific shoplifters and business crime offenders is being rolled out in Southampton following a successful trial in Portsmouth.

Business Crime Navigators were introduced by Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones in 2022 in a joint initiative with charity The Society of St James, Portsmouth City Council, Southern Co-op and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary.

The BCN’s worked with police, probation, the council and prison service to identify prolific shoplifters and those who carry out assaults, antisocial behaviour, and criminal damage against traders.

They then worked with those people to understand the underlying causes of their offending and offered personalised, trauma informed care to ensure long-term support and rehabilitation.

60% of service users reported a significant reduction in shoplifting and drug misuse compared with the six months before they began working with the BCN.

This has led to reduced demand on the police and the wider criminal justice system as well as lowering the cost of crime to businesses.

A one year pilot will now take place in Southampton, a city which has seen increasing levels of shoplifting in the last two years.

The Police and Crime Commissioner has committed £30,000 to the project and has once again teamed up with The Society of St James for its delivery alongside Go! Southampton (the city’s Business Improvement District) and Southampton City Council.

PCC Donna Jones said: “Shop workers are often on the front line of verbal and physical abuse. It’s completely unacceptable.

“Add to that the increasing problem of shop theft and businesses have been left feeling helpless.

“Shopkeepers often know who their offenders are as they’re targeting their stores every day.

“I’m therefore delighted Business Crime Navigators are being introduced in Southampton after proving so successful in Portsmouth.

“Not only are we helping rehabilitate participants to lead happier and healthier crime-free lives, we’re also making sure communities and victims feel safer.”

Jess is one of those to have turned their life around: “Just having someone see me without my addiction made me feel better and was the start of the snowball that got me to rehab.

“It was a long process over about three years because, to be honest, I never thought I would get clean.

“But through constant support and kindness, I saw a way out and took my chance. I am beyond grateful.”

Another service user, who didn’t want to be named, said: “I used to be shoplifting and using drugs up to 6 times a day.

“I cannot remember the last time I shoplifted and have no habit with drugs.”

Nicky Wilsenham, Executive Director of Services from The Society of St James, said: “The Society of St James are pleased to be working in partnership with OPCC, Go! Southampton and Southampton City Council, to develop and deliver a Business Crime Navigator Intervention in Southampton, helping people away from crime and into support and treatment.

“The Society of St James would like to say a huge thank you to Donna Jones and her team at the OPCC, Southampton City Council and GO! Southampton, for putting the funding in place and look forward to getting started in making a difference!”

Dr Debbie Chase, Director of Public Health Southampton City Council, said: “It is important we all feel safe and supported.

“We know that trauma, homelessness and drug and alcohol dependence are key drivers of crime.

“I am pleased to see the development of this Business Crime Navigator Intervention in Southampton which will help people access the support they need to address the issues that drive them to crime.”

Jade McCauley from Go! Southampton said: “Southampton Business Improvement District is proud to be part-funding Southampton’s new Business Crime Navigator Initiative – a proven approach that will help make our city centre safer, more supportive, and more welcoming for everyone.

“Working alongside the Police and Crime Commissioner, Southampton City Council, the Society of St James, and other key partners, we’re building on the success of similar schemes already established in other cities.

“This focused support, working closely with a small caseload of vulnerable individuals to ensure they receive the right help at the right time, will play a key role in reducing shoplifting, supporting our local businesses.”

From a police perspective, Southampton District Commander, Superintendent Alex Charge said: “Our officers are committed to working in partnership with the new Business Crime Navigator to drive down incidents of retail and business crime, which can have a devastating impact on the frontline workers who face violence and abuse while simply doing their jobs.

“We hope to build a strong partnership between the person in this new role and our City Centre and wider Neighbourhood teams, who target prolific shoplifters in Southampton.”