Islanders encouraged to report shoplifting during Christmas period

Friday 29 November 2024

Police are reminding islanders to keep an eye out and report suspicious activity while doing their Christmas shopping as the force prepares for a spike in shoplifting over the holiday period.

PC Iain McCallum said that alerting shop staff or a police officer to potential instances of theft could help tackle "opportunistic" thieves as well as "serial offenders".

He explained that the force had been engaging with businesses as part of a campaign to crack down on shoplifting.

Pictured: The busy Christmas shopping period can represent an "opportunity" for those looking to steal from stores.

"We are aware that we are moving into the Christmas shopping [period]," he said.

"We see sometimes there might be a slight spike in these offences, larcenies from a shop.

"Because town is so busy, it can sometimes be a great opportunity for somebody who is opportunistic to steal one thing – or serial offenders that we see all the time stealing things who might choose to do it around this period."

In addition to the force's engagement with businesses, PC McCallum highlighted that the public can also play their part in reporting potential instances of theft.

Pictured: PC Iain McCallum encouraged islanders to report possible instances of shoplifting over Christmas.

"If they see anything that they think is peculiar, or doesn't sit right with them, or is suspicious, either speak to somebody who is a member of staff or contact the police," he continued.

"There's no harm in having a telephone call with us, and through that we can give advice or lead potentially off some information that they give."

The reminder comes as the force continues to crack down on the use of fake £20 notes that came to its attention in recent weeks, which has led to two people being arrested.