Digital crackdown helps Dorset Police drive surge in shoplifting convictions
Dorset Police is using a new digital system to track and catch shoplifters faster than ever
A new digital reporting system is helping police in Dorset crack down on shoplifting, with officers achieving significantly higher conviction rates as retailers are urged to report every theft.
Dorset Police says its dedicated Retail Crime Team charged more than 7 in 10 offenders in the final three months of 2025, well above the national average at a time when retail crime is rising across the UK.
At the heart of the improvement is the introduction of a new digital evidence platform, NiCE Investigate, which allows retailers to upload CCTV footage, witness statements and images directly to officers within hours.
Police say the system has transformed how cases are handled, replacing slower processes such as email and physical evidence handovers with real-time case building.
Sergeant Ryan Corbett, from the force’s Retail Crime Team, said the technology was enabling a more intelligence-led approach.
“Every report we receive helps us build the bigger picture,” he said. “The digital theft packs drastically cut processing times, getting vital information from retailers to officers in hours rather than days.”
Officers are also pushing back against what they describe as a persistent myth that low-value thefts are ignored.
Under the force’s Operation Shopkeeper, all shoplifting reports are investigated - including those under £200 - with multiple minor offences often combined to build stronger cases against repeat offenders.
One case saw prolific shoplifter Jason Evans jailed for 32 weeks in December after targeting branches of Boots in Christchurch and Poole.
He admitted 14 offences over five months, stealing more than £7,000 worth of goods.
Retail workers say the new system is already making a tangible difference, with security guards from major chains describing the digital reporting process as “a massive advancement”.
allowing suspects to be identified and dealt with in days rather than weeks.
A shopkeeper in Dorchester said the platform had helped stores “combat more offenders a lot quicker”, even identifying suspects within days rather than weeks.
By centralising reports, officers can now track offenders moving between towns across the county, tracking the movements of so-called “travelling thieves” who previously evaded detection.
“Shoplifting is not a victimless crime,” Corbett said. “It hits hardworking shop staff, threatens livelihoods, and undermines confidence in our town centres.”