|
I wanted to provide you with an update regarding Theft - shoplifting, which people around your area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey. Officers from Folkestone & Hythe Community Safety Unit at Folkestone Police Station took part in a planned week of action for ‘SAFER BUSINESS WEEK’ between 10th November - 15th November 2025.
Two main days of action took place with the objective of tackling retail crime under Op Odin and Project Vigilant with the aim of supporting retailers in tackling, reporting and the confidence in evidence capture whilst improving the confidence of stakeholders in the Police. Officers concentrated on our most prolific offenders, the key locations targeted and locations that offenders often retreat towards.
The focus was to utilise powers under the current Public Space Protection Order and issuing of Community Protection Warnings whilst supporting Council officers in their roles to deal with Anti-social behaviour outcomes from retail incidents, whilst educating, disrupting and intervening in quick time response in the prevention of likely undetected offences by retailers.
Thanks to the positive work already completed by our Neighbourhood Task Force and Beat Team's, there is already some good working relationships with retailers in helping them to feel better supported, this is in addition to refining communication and evidence collation to support better outcomes.
Also during the week, our Child Centred Policing Team provided an impressive 11 educational inputs to children relating to Shoplifting, its impact on communities, respecting local businesses and how young people can contribute to safer neighbourhoods.
Despite some poor weather and our good friend 'PC RAIN' assisting with the reduction of some incidents across the week, the planned week of action generated an additional 7 x Arrests, 1 x Community Resolution, 2 x Partnership working opportunities, 4 x Drug seizures as well as person stop searches and property searches relating to linked offences.
 If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.kent.police.uk, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, you can stay 100 per cent anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org. Get Involved Please consider getting involved by registering for these messages, this will enable you to contribute to the local priority survey. We may be unaware of issues that you would like us to focus on. Take a few minutes to securely and privately register and have your say using the button below, this will mean we can focus on things that matter to you. 
Please click here to complete the survey
| 
