Shoplifters get warning from policing minister on visit to Woking | UK News

Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson has said shoplifters “will be pursued and will face consequences” regardless of how much they steal, as she visited a town centre.

Dame Diana made the comments on a visit to Woking as part of Surrey Police’s involvement in the Safer Streets summer initiative.

Eleven towns in Surrey joined the government scheme which is running until 30 September and aims to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour.

The Home Office said named, contactable officers were now place across every neighbourhood in Surrey, providing a more direct link between the public and police, as part of the plan.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “A connection between the police and public has been lost for too long but restoring visible officers to our streets and giving communities a proper named contact will rebuild those bonds with the communities they serve.”

Earlier this year, Surrey Police logged a four-fold increase in shoplifting charges in the county.

Dame Diana told Surrey she wanted to dispel the myth that if thieves take goods worth less than £200 they would not be prosecuted.

She said: “We are getting rid of that idea that if you steal less than £200 nothing will happen to you.

“You will be pursued; you will face consequences if you steal from shops. We’ve got to really clamp down on this. It is totally unacceptable.”

She also said the government would be bringing in new laws to make assaulting shop workers a specific offence.

Meanwhile, one shop worker in Woking town centre told the she had noticed an increase in shoplifting attempts over the summer and that some of her colleagues had been verbally assaulted.

Insp Ed Lyons, borough commander at Surrey Police, said the force was “starting to see results” in areas where police were more visible.

“The feedback [from shops] is that staff feel safer and more supported working there. People want to see police.”

The Home Office said 25 additional neighbourhood officers would be joining neighbourhood policing teams in Surrey by Spring 2026.

Maggie and Colin Wright, who live in Woking, told Surrey antisocial behaviour on e-bikes was their biggest worry.

“I don’t think the crime is that bad but I don’t like the bicycles in the town centre,” Mr Wright said.

“He has a hearing problem,” continued Maggie, ” he can’t hear them, especially the electric bikes. They’re a pain and they shouldn’t be in town anyway.”