Traders in Trowbridge have said that shoplifting incidents have got progressively worse as Wiltshire Police confirm there has been a rise in incidents in the town.
Inspector Andy Lemon, of Wiltshire Police, said police are taking retail crime more seriously following the dramatic national rise in incidents.
He said: "We are aware of a minority of individuals who we know are stealing from shops in Trowbridge and we intend to follow through with any anti-social behaviour legislation available to us.
"Shoplifting is a national issue where we are seeing an increase, and that is being replicated across Trowbridge and surrounding towns, although we are seeing a reduction in all other crime categories."
A Times reporter spoke to retailers in the town, some of which have been affected by a shoplifting incident.
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Staff at The Dorothy House Hospice furniture shop in Wicker Hill say that have experienced a recent break-in.
Deputy manager, Kimberley Collins, said: "It has got progressively worse since the rise in inflation and the cost-of-living crisis. We are finding more empty hangers every day and stuff ripped out of boxes and taken.
"One person even came back the next day because one bit was missing from something they had stolen the day before."
At the nearby Tymbark Supermarket in Wicker Hill staff said they do what they can to stop shoplifters but need more support from police.
A spokesperson said: "We try to minimise shoplifting as best we can but people are still doing it. It is very worrying for us.
"It is increasing nationally, it is not only in Trowbridge. We hope that police can do better stopping them."
At The Shires shopping centre, manager Sarah Moore said traders have been urged to report shoplifting incidents to the police, no matter how small or how many.
She added: “It is never going to go away. It has always been there. It comes in fits and starts. We have better periods and not-so-good periods.”
Inspector Andy Lemon, added: "We have both high visibility patrols being made by officers as well as covert/plain clothed patrols and we will proactively deal with offences identified.”
The situation is no different for those who work in the town's large supermarkets and convenience stores.
At the Tesco Express convenience store in Frome Road, Trowbridge, staff say they have experienced more than 50 incidents of theft over the past three months.
One member of staff, who did not wish to be named, said: “It has increased dramatically over the last six months. It is almost a massive epidemic.
“We have had a few persons, that the police have dealt with, including a known meat thief, who takes items from our shop and then sells them on for a quick fix.
“That’s why we are seeing more of our shop workers wearing body cameras nowadays to record these incidents.”
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A Sainsbury's spokesperson said the retailer has several measures in place including colleague-worn bodycams.
Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson has called for Wiltshire Police to take more robust action to tackle shoplifting.
Inspector Lemon added: "Our officers are working with businesses to offer crime prevention advice and would encourage our local businesses to sign up to Business Watch through Community Messaging.
"We would also urge businesses to report offences to us as soon as possible by calling us on 101, or 999 in an emergency. They can also report crime through our website.”
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