Shoplifting figures have surged in Bath (Image: Getty)
One of the country’s most affluent cities is experiencing a surge in shoplifting, with residents believing it’s the city’s wealth which has caused it to be a target.
in is known and named after its Roman-built baths and is recognised as one of the Great of Europe. The city’s wealth dates right back to medieval history, including the building of the Bath Abbey, which brought visitors from all over the country.
In the 12th and 13 centuries, the city became a prosperous wool town, and the wool industry also contributed to Bath’s wealth, which has been maintained until the present day.
But now the crime usually associated with poverty is impacting the city. A recent analysis of police data has revealed that shoplifting in Bath is escalating quicker than anywhere else in the country.
The incidences of the increased by over 83 percent in the 12 months leading up to September, reaching 138.6 per 10,000 people. This statistic makes it the eighth worst locality in England in absolute terms.
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The is an incredibly popular shopping destination with a blend of independent and well-known high-street brands.
However, local businesses have now had to take extra measures, such as placing dummy stock on shelves, and the House of Fraser store is reportedly using facial recognition to alert security staff.
for East Somerset and Hanham branded the issue as “out of control” and “unsustainable.” He said: “For the shops that stay open, they will be forced to put up prices to make up for the lost goods – making this frightening cost-of-living crisis even worse for all.”
Member of the Northeast Somerset council and Liberal Democrat member of Bath Paul Crossley believes the busy shops made the city a target of organised shoplifting gangs.
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Bath has a good shopping reputation (Image: Getty)
He told : “Being a very successful commercial city, we get a lot of people from all over the place coming in to shop, so shops are very crowded, so it makes it easier for the rogue elements to go undetected.”
Mr Crossley added: “The centre of Bath is heaving, particularly towards Christmas. You have the opportunistic shoplifters, those who are in distress and feel they can’t put food on the table, but the organised gangs are attracted to the centre.”
A crime map for Bath on the police national website showed that there were more than 50 reported shoplifting offences in the central area in September.
Now, Avon and Somerset police are working hard to crack down on the shoplifters by sending out plain clothes officers, working with private security firms and a number of “days of action”, which will result in court appearances for defendants charged with multiple shoplifting offences.