'Career shoplifters' operating in Windsor as crime figures are revealed

Police have warned ‘career shoplifters’ are operating in Windsor town centre after it was revealed 51 shoplifting incidents had been reported over the past three months.

At a Windsor Forum meeting last night (12 March), crime figures were provided by Thames Valley Police officer for Windsor East, Matt Gleave.

In addition to shoplifting, the figures for the town centre showed a further six reports of business burglary had been made as well as nine reports of residential burglary and 10 vehicle thefts.

Responding to a question from Councillor Devon Davies (Lib Dem, Eton and Castle) over whether shoplifting arrests were being made proactively, PC Gleave said:

“The shoplifting we see in Windsor, that isn’t their first time.

"They are career shoplifters if you like, so they will always be arrested."

At last night's meeting, PC Gleave also discussed the police response to shoplifting in Windsor.

“Much like anything happening in the police it’s resource dependant," he said.

“Clearly, if we have only got two officers in a double group for the area and we have got a report of shoplifting versus someone who’s being assaulted we have to respond to the person being assaulted.

“As I would expect most members of the public would want us to – we have to prioritise risk to life but we will always go to the shops where liftings are being investigated."

Figures for reported crimes across Windsor over the last three months, as of March 11, are:

- Windsor central: antisocial behaviour, 12; business burglary, 6; residential burglary, 9; criminal damage, 29; theft from vehicle, 19; theft of vehicle, 7; theft of bicycle, 10; shoplifting, 51.

- Windsor east: antisocial behaviour, 12; business burglary, 1; residential burglary, 8; criminal damage, 22; theft from vehicle, 13; theft of vehicle, 8; theft of bicycle, 2.

- Windsor west: antisocial behaviour, 14; business burglary, 2; residential burglary, 11; criminal damage, 18; theft from vehicle, 20; theft of vehicle, 16; theft of bicycle, 2.