Shopkeepers and retail staff on a Portsmouth street described feeling “too tired to complain” after reporting incidents of theft to police, claiming there was no response.

A member of staff at a convenience store on Albert Road told the BBC: “A few weeks ago, one of my colleagues caught someone stealing and then got punched in the eye. It’s horrible.”

With official figures showing that burglary incidents in Hampshire have risen by a third, Hampshire Constabulary said it made the “appropriate calls to those in danger and significant risk”.

It comes as Hampshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Donna Jones, is backing the development of a smartphone app to allow shopkeepers to quickly report shoplifting.

Another shop owner on Albert Road, who did not want to be identified, said he had made more than 150 theft complaints but had heard nothing from the police.

“We’re tired of complaining, so now we don’t complain,” said another retail worker.

A couple said they witnessed thefts on Albert Road “all the time”.

“They take anything of value. Meat and stuff. But they can’t be that hungry because they can run pretty fast.”

Security guard Abu said Fridays and Saturdays are the worst times for thefts in the supermarket where he works.

“Before you could try to stop them, but now you can’t. Sometimes if they catch them, they will scream at you or abuse you and leave.”

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that theft offenses in Hampshire rose to 14,233 offenses in the year to March 2024, compared to 10,252 offenses in the previous 12 months.

Nationally, a House of Lords committee found shoplifting has cost the retail sector nearly £2bn last year.

Ch Insp Marcus Cator of Hampshire Constabulary said: “There have been times when we have been particularly stretched thin on resources.

“Demand on Hampshire Constabulary throughout the year varies considerably – managing events such as D-Day in Portsmouth, to dealing with retail crime on the high street and protecting vulnerable people.”

“We need to go to the right calls for those in danger and significant risk.”

He said responsibility for private security rests with retailers and policies vary between stores.

“Many retail chains have a no-contact policy because they may care more about the welfare of their staff than the value of their property,” he added.

Speaking on BBC Radio Solent, Hampshire PCC Ms Jones said there was “no way” the force would not respond to multiple incidents of shoplifting.

“This is a symptom of a lack of police and the problem of shoplifting is an increase in drug addiction that people do to fund their addiction.”

Ms Jones said a new smartphone app being developed will allow traders in Hampshire to instantly upload CCTV footage to lodge a report which detectives can review “very quickly”.

Without outlining specifics, she also said the app – which will be paid for in the first year of the PCC budget – will cost merchants £20 a month.

“This will be a big change for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police, but especially for all retail workers,” she said.

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