Sarah Champion MP welcomes crackdown on town centre crime and antisocial behaviour in Rotherham
Sarah Champion, Member of Parliament for Rotherham, welcomes news that local shoppers and businesses will see increased police patrols during peak times this summer. This follows Champion’s survey into shoplifting and worker abuse in Rotherham, which revealed a shocking scale of violence in Rotherham's shops. [1]
Champion’s survey found that 79% of respondents felt a stronger police presence in the community would help. Today the Home Secretary announced that Rotherham, along with 500 towns, have signed up to the Government’s Safer Streets summer crackdown, and will see increased police patrols and local action to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Under the previous government, shoplifting soared to record levels, with a staggering 70% increase in their last two years in office alone. The latest statistics show a 10% rise in shoplifting in South Yorkshire, with 15,184 offences at the end of 2024.
In response, local Police and Crime Commissioners have developed bespoke local action plans with police, businesses, and local councils with the aim of supporting town centres to become vibrant places where people want to live, work and spend time.
These plans include increased visible town centre policing and ramping up the use of targeted enforcement powers against troublemakers – including banning perpetrators from hotspots. The summer initiative will also support young people, making sure there are activities across 500 UK towns for young people to be involved in throughout the holidays.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:
“The last government left a surge in shop theft, street crime and anti-social behaviour which has left too many town centres feeling abandoned.”
“It’s time to turn this round, that’s why I have called on police forces and councils to work together to deliver a summer blitz on town centre crime, to send a clear message to those people who bring misery to our towns that their crimes will no longer go unpunished”.
“The fact that Rotherham has signed up shows the strength of feeling locally on this issue.”
Sarah Champion, Labour MP for Rotherham, said:
“People have a right to feel safe at work and shopping on our High Street.”
“This is a topic I feel deeply passionately about, following my survey into retail crime in Rotherham. It revealed that local shop staff have been punched and spat at, with one even threatened with a knife.”
“I have been calling for tougher action on this crime, working with retailers, the council and the police to see what more can be done to prevent shoplifting and the abuse of retail workers. Today’s announcement is welcome news, and I am hopeful that with more officers on the beat, we can make our town centre safe again,”
Ends