Estimated £13k lost to shoplifters in Ipswich this year

Figures from Ipswich Central show that between February and the start of October town centre businesses have seen a loss of between £11,000 and £13,000 due to thefts.

However, the organisation’s team of three street security rangers have helped recover around half of these losses, with £6,000 to £8,000 returned to stores. 

This is around double the amount which had been recovered up to March.

CEO of Ipswich Central, Lee Walker said: "All too often, shoplifting is seen as a victimless crime, carried out by those stealing to feed themselves.

“This is not born out by the data, and, to the member of staff who loses their job because the business is losing so much money to stock loss, it certainly doesn't feel victimless.

“We are proud of the work our street security team does, which has resulted in tens of thousands of pounds of stock being recovered for businesses, and, working with our police and council partners to ensure prolific offenders are dealt with to the fullest extent of the law."

Street Security rangers Evander, Adam and Curtis (Image: Ashley Pickering/Anglia Picture Agency) The security team has logged 368 incidents between February and October with 80% of the cases relating to shoplifting and 20% being antisocial behaviour.  

According to Ipswich Central’s records, the top five stolen items in the town centre are: clothing, alcohol, sunglasses, glasses, CDs, DVDs and domestic products such as washing powder tablets.

Saturdays are usually the busiest days for the team as the town centre has more people to monitor and reassure and stores are busier.

On top of this the trio has supported police with 45 arrests, with most of these being suspects wanted by police who are stopped and held or monitored before being arrested.  

Ipswich Central records show 1,800 business visits undertaken February to October and of the 31 reports made to police 24 saw officers attend.