Bath: The posh UK city where shoplifting is on the rise | Great Britain

One of the wealthiest cities in the country is experiencing an increase in shoplifting, with residents believing the city’s wealth has made it a target.

Bath in Somerset is known and named after its Roman style baths and is recognized as one of the great spa towns of Europe. The wealth of the city dates back to its medieval history, including the building of Bath Abbey, which brought visitors from all over the country.

In the 12th and 13th centuries, the city became a prosperous wool town, and the wool industry also contributed to Bath’s wealth, which has continued to this day.

But now crime usually associated with poverty is impacting the city. A recent analysis of police data has shown that shoplifting in Bath is escalating faster than anywhere else in the country.

The incidence of crime rose by more than 83 percent in the 12 months to September, reaching 138.6 per 10,000 people. This statistic makes it the eighth worst locality in England in absolute terms.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site is an incredibly popular shopping destination with a mix of independent and well-known brands.

However, local businesses have now had to take extra measures, such as placing fake stock on shelves, and the House of Fraser store is using facial recognition to alert security staff.

The Labor MP for East Somerset and Hanham described the issue as “out of control” and “unsustainable”. He said: “For the shops that remain open, they will be forced to raise prices to make up for lost goods – making this terrifying cost of living crisis worse for everyone.”

Northeast Somerset councilor and Lib Dem Member for Bath Paul Crossley believes the busy shops have made the town a target for organized theft gangs.

he said telegraph: “Being a very successful commercial city, we have a lot of people from all over coming to shop, so the stores are very busy, so it’s easier for rogue elements to go undetected.”

Mr Crossley added: “The center of Bath is buzzing, especially around Christmas. You have the opportunistic thieves, those who are in trouble and feel they can’t put food on the table, but the organized gangs are attracted to the centre.”

A crime map for Bath on the police’s national website showed more than 50 theft offenses were reported in the central area in September.

Now Avon and Somerset Police are working hard to crack down on shoplifters, deploying plainclothes officers, working with private security firms and a series of ‘days of action’, which will lead to court appearances for defendants charged with multiple counts of shoplifting. .