BUSINESS owners in Bexhill, managers and high street staff are being urged to attend an important meeting to discuss the growing problem of shoplifting and anti-social behaviour affecting the town’s retailers.
The Bexhill Retail Crime Meeting, taking place on Thursday, 6th November, at the De La Warr Pavilion café from 6pm to 7.30pm, has been organised by Dr Kieran Mullan MP and Cllr Christine Bayliss, in partnership with Sussex Police, Rother District Council, the Trades Council, and the Bexhill Chamber of Commerce.
The event aims to bring together those most directly affected by retail crime, such as shopowners, managers and staff, to share their experiences, hear from police representatives and explore practical ways to make the high street safer. This is not a public meeting; it is specifically designed for those working in or running local businesses.
Organisers say the increase in theft and anti-social behaviour is having a serious impact not just on retailers’ bottom lines, but on the morale of those working on the front line.
The invitation states: “Our high streets are the hearts of our town, and the success of your businesses is vital for our local economy. Shoplifting is not just a crime against a business, it is a crime against the whole community. It is upsetting for all those who witness it, but especially those working in our shops and high street businesses.”
Attendees will have the opportunity to share their concerns, learn more about how to report incidents through the DISC system, and hear from police officers about their response processes.
The session will also discuss practical security measures and explore how businesses can work together to prevent theft and protect staff.
Tracey Love, President of the Bexhill Chamber of Commerce, has been one of the driving forces behind the push to address local retail crime.
She said: “For the best part of a year now, and since witnessing and hearing about several targeted shoplifting events, I have been trying to motivate local interested parties to take our town centre crime issues more seriously.
“Momentum is now with the MP’s Office, who are driving our local interested parties, including Councils and Sussex Police, to communicate and demonstrate accountability. While there is room for improvement, there is now a clear sense that progress is being made. This meeting gives business owners and staff the opportunity to have their say.”
The meeting comes as Sussex leads the way nationally in tackling retail crime through a pioneering initiative known as Operation STOP (Shop Theft Offender Pilot).
Launched by Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne, the scheme has introduced GPS tagging for convicted shoplifters, the first of its kind in the UK. The tags allow police to monitor offenders’ movements in real time and enforce exclusion zones around shopping areas.
Mrs Bourne said: “I promised that we would take shop theft seriously in Sussex, so I am delighted that we are the first police area to use established tagging technology to address the most persistent offenders. Deterrents need to be more effective and punishments must be meaningful. The tagging pilot is a proactive step forward.”
The initiative, already being trialled in Eastbourne and Hastings, has been welcomed by local business leaders, who hope it will deter repeat offenders and restore confidence among retailers.
Those wishing to attend can register via Eventbrite using the QR code, by emailing kieran.mullan.mp@parliament.uk, or by calling 01424 736861.
