Valleys shoplifting doubles 'as recession bites' (From South Wales Argus)

Valleys shoplifting doubles 'as recession bites'

11:20am Wednesday 1st July 2009

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SHOPLIFTING in Blaenau Gwent more than doubled in one year, with the recession being blamed as one factor for the jump.

Figures for shoplifting across Gwent skyrocketed by almost 50 percent in the same time.

The number of reports for March, April and May 2008 across the county was 639. It increased by 45 percent to 930 for the same period this year.

Blaenau Gwent had the biggest percentage increase, a rise of 154 percent from 35 to 89.

Newport's went from 333 to 403, a 21 percent rise. Torfaen saw a leap of 68 percent, 179 reports this year, compared with 106 in 2008.

Caerphilly had a 51 percent rise, from 107 to 162 and Monmouthshire's went up 67 percent to 97 from 58.

In Cwmbran town centre, 55 stores signed up to Storenet System, used to share information about shoplifters.

Subscribers have a radio and communicate among one another if there is a known thief in the centre.

Town centre operations manager Ian Hopkins said it increased shoplifters being caught, adding: "I dare say where people are feeling the pinch, it's what they may see as an easy alternative or they've got to do it to survive," he said.

Detective Superintendent Adrian Erasmus said "undoubtedly the current economic climate has been a contributing factor," towards the increase.

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