Doncaster business owner forced to shut one of his stores due to 'out of control' shoplifting
Raja Hussain from the city doesn't think there's any kind of deterrent for shoplifters
A Doncaster businessman tells us he's been forced to close one of his shops in the city centre due to 'out of control' shoplifting.
In 2024 - Doncaster had the highest rate for shoplifting offences in South Yorkshire - with over 1,500 reported incidents there.
Raja Hussain shut one of his stores on Baxter Gate earlier this year:
"Doncaster is terrible for shoplifting.
"Baxter Gate is probably one of the most dangerous places I've ever had to do business or even walk through.
"It's not just Doncaster - England feels like a lawless country now.
"Even though I was born here and I love this country, I'm planning to leave and go to live in Morocco.
"I've had enough of the UK.
"I want to open businesses there instead because it's a lot safer than it is here.
"The plan is to let some family take care of business here while I go out to Morocco with my partner - and eventually - my children."
Doncaster Central NPT Sergeant Steve Roberts said:
"We absolutely do not tolerate shoplifting or retail crime in Doncaster and have secured significant reductions in this type of offending. We have a dedicated retail crime team that works hard day in, day out to target offenders in the city centre and surrounding area.
"The retail crime team has brought down shoplifting offences by almost a quarter so far through their work to capture evidence, obtain and compile CCTV footage, gather victim and witness statements, and ultimately secure charges against offenders.
"They have extensive knowledge of persistent shoplifters, meaning they quickly identify repeat offenders and they have built strong relationships with local retailers and key partners, which has ensured a joined-up approach to tackling and notably reducing retail crime.
"Their diligent gathering of evidence to show the impact of repeat offending has also been used to secure Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) against a number of serial offenders. These subject prolific shoplifters to stringent measures to curb their offending upon their release back into society.
"A number of prolific shoplifters are already subject to these orders, and we are actively pursuing CBOs for other known shoplifters.
"City centre-based neighbourhood officers also carry out high visibility patrols, which includes speaking with local businesses and retailers, as well as security staff, to share crime prevention advice and help keep shoppers and shop workers safe.
"We also utilise plain-clothed patrols to target known offenders meaning that while you may not always see a policing presence in the city centre, it could still be there.
"If you have been a victim of shoplifting then please report it to us. We can only act on reports to police and we assure you that we will investigate thoroughly to bring offenders to justice and keep our communities safe from harm."
• The number of shoplifting offences in the Doncaster Central NPT area fell by over 24 per cent in the three months to September 2025 when compared to the same period in 2024.
• When comparing the first six months of this year to the same period in 2024, the Doncaster Central NPT area saw a 29 per cent reduction in the number of shoplifting offences.
• To date this year (up to 3 December 2025), we have arrested 439 people on suspicion of shoplifting across the whole of Doncaster.