Business Community Update: Reducing Shoplifting Across Hounslow

Hello Hounslow Businesses,

Shoplifting continues to be one of our Top 10 crime types, with 2,740 reports in the last 12 months — around 15.5% of all crime recorded locally.

These offences directly impact your staff, customers, profit, and the overall safety of our high streets.
Working together, we can drive these numbers down while helping your business stay confident, protected, and ready for a busy year ahead.

Why We Need Your Help

Shoplifting isn’t “low‑level crime”. It:

We're committed to supporting you — but we need real‑time reporting so we can identify trends, target patrols, and take meaningful enforcement action.

See It. Report It. Now.

Please report offences at the time or as soon as possible.
Delays reduce the chance of identifying offenders and connecting repeat suspects across the borough.

Your reports shape where we patrol and who we target.

Top 10 Practical Tips for Retail Businesses

1. Greet customers as they enter

A friendly acknowledgement is proven to deter offenders.

2. Keep high‑value items in clear view of staff

Reduce blind spots and keep expensive stock close to the counter.

3. Use strong, clean, working CCTV

Make sure cameras cover entrances, exits, and high‑risk shelves.

4. Position staff near key areas

Offenders avoid well‑staffed zones and visible supervision.

5. Train all staff on suspicious behaviours

Recognising concealment, distraction tactics, and bag‑switching makes a big impact.

6. Control your store layout

Keep aisles open, ensure shelving isn’t too high, and maintain good lines of sight.

7. Use security tags and signage

Even low‑cost tags and clear “CCTV in operation” signs reduce risk.

8. Keep stock tidy and organised

Messy displays make theft easier to hide and harder to spot.

9. Work with neighbouring stores

Share intelligence quickly — repeat offenders often target multiple businesses.

10. Always report theft

Even if goods are low‑value.
Every report builds the bigger picture and helps us target repeat offenders.

Strategic Practices to Help Your Business Thrive

These steps protect your business and improve customer confidence:

These measures reduce the risk of crime, improve customer trust, and keep your team safe.

Working Together for a Stronger, Safer Hounslow

Our retail community is vital to local life, and we are committed to supporting you.

If your business wants:

Just let us know — we’re here to help.

#KeepHounslowSafe #StrongerSaferHounslow #BusinessWatch #RetailSafety #MetEngage