There was a rise in shoplifting offences recorded in Wiltshire last year, new figures show.

Office for National Statistics figures show there were 4,207 shoplifting offences recorded by Wiltshire Police in 2023.

It was up 35 per cent from 3,123 offences in 2022.

Across England and Wales, shoplifting crimes jumped 37 per cent with 430,104 recorded in the year to December 2023.

It was the highest level in 20 years.

In Wiltshire, there were 299 robbery offences in 2023, down from 356 the year before.

There were also 293 theft from the person offences recorded last year, a rise from 269 in 2022.

Taner Gyunesh, who has been store manager of Charlie’s Store on Catherine Street for five years said he believes that crime in Salisbury is infrequent, saying “only sometimes younger kids make trouble” and “the police are very helpful with responding to calls, and the city’s security is very good".

Salisbury Journal: Taner Gyunesh, manager at Charlie's StoreTaner Gyunesh, manager at Charlie's Store (Image: Newsquest)

Daniel Green, a cashier at Oxfam also on Catherine Street has rarely seen shoplifting take place within the store, having worked there for more than 13 years.

He said: “I’m quite vigilant, I tend to not be around when it goes on”. He added that he is “not really worried about crime, more the drugs issue". 

Salisbury Journal: Daniel Green, a cashier at Oxfam on Catherine Street Daniel Green, a cashier at Oxfam on Catherine Street (Image: Newsquest)

Many Salisbury businesses have joined Salisbury StopWatch, a business crime and safety partnership led by Salisbury BID. The scheme connects those involved to work in closer proximity to detect and prevent crime within Salisbury. Any business, restaurant or shop can join Salisbury StopWatch.