Shirley business owner says stealing's a "killer" for businesses
A business owner is telling us the impacts of stealing on his business
Last updated 22nd Oct 2025
A Shirley business owner is telling us stealing is a "killer" for businesses.
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner has introduced CCTV and focused police patrols to help stop antisocial behaviour in the area.
Peter Gallagher, Owner of Make It Magic party store in Shirley, told us the impacts of stealing on his business.
He said: "I don't know what it is.
"They might be having a bad day and want to prove to themselves that they can walk out with something for free, but of course, it's not free.
"We have to pay for it, it's out of my staff's wages, my income, my rates that have to be paid.
"We also have to work on High Street at a margin, and the margins are shrinking every day.
"This is a killer."
The police say they've seen a reduction in the number of offences on Shirley High Street in the past year.
They say the rate for formal action being taken following a report is above the national average at 37%.
Superintendent Alex Charge, District Commander for Southampton, said: “It will never be acceptable for business owners and their staff to come to work and be faced with criminality, and we take all reports of shoplifting extremely seriously.
"The Shirley neighbourhood policing team and Local Bobby have been working incredibly hard to respond to incidents of anti-social behaviour in the High Street over the summer and beyond.
"As well as responding to incidents, we have been conducting additional patrols, in particular focused on times when we knew the High Street would be busier, along with maintaining regular contact with businesses and residents to ensure their concerns are heard and incidents are reported.
"The kind of behaviour which has been reported has clearly had a considerable impact on the local community, and we are continuing to meet with them and our partners to tackle those issues."
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, spoke to us a few weeks ago and said she's also seen a "significant reduction" of antisocial behaviour since the input of things like CCTV.
Mr Gallagher said: "Shirley's been really good at the moment.
"The last three months has been a breath of fresh air, and hopefully that'll continue.
"That's the new future for Shirley.
"But when we talk about shoplifting, you just can't stop it because it's in people's nature.
"It's very much a me society, you know, what can I do for me, rather than what can we do together and I think shoplifting's part of that".
PCC Donna Jones also told us what methods will be continuing into the future to help shop owners.
She said: "The CCTV is for the long-term.
"In terms of the detached youth work and getting people mentors, working with young people; I'm funding No Limits, I'm funding the Saints Foundation and a youth options organisation, and that money is ongoing, I fund them year after year.
"So that work will continue.
"The City Council are also funding the same programmes as me, we jointly fund those things.
"So that continues, the CCTV continues and will be permanent, and the police focus here continues."
The PCC is backing the UK Partners Against Crime (UKPAC) system to support local businesses as well as freeing up police and shopkeepers' time.
Her funding of £177,548 will mean businesses across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight can access UKPAC free of charge until April 2026.