Bournemouth, Crime | Posted on January 29th, 2026 | return to news

Bournemouth tackles prolific shoplifting

A new exclusion notice scheme is set to be launched in the town, developed by the Business Crime Reduction Partnership.

Businesses are coming together to address the problem of shoplifting in Bournemouth.

A new exclusion notice scheme is set to be launched across the town centre, banning repeat shoplifters from entering participating businesses in a bid to reduce retail crime and protect staff and shoppers.

The initiative, developed by the Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP), follows ongoing collaboration between Bournemouth Town Centre BID and a wide range of local partners.

Organisations involved include Dorset Police, BCP Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour and Community Safety Accreditation Scheme teams, alongside major retailers and businesses such as Primark, TK Maxx, Bobby’s, Tesco, Sports Direct, Superdry, Barclays Bank, Flirt Café, PRC Streamline, Lester Aldridge and UKPAC.

Key outcomes of the partnership’s work include identifying prolific offenders, establishing clear action plans, sharing updates on prosecutions, increasing reports of retail crime and anti-social behaviour, and formally approving the introduction of exclusion notices.

The exclusion notice scheme will be managed by UKPAC in collaboration with partner agencies. BCP Council personnel, Bournemouth Town Centre BID Rangers and trained security staff will be responsible for serving banning orders to individuals caught shoplifting.

Once issued, an exclusion notice will bar an individual from entering any business displaying the Against Business Crime sticker for a period of 12 months. Breaching the ban may result in further enforcement action.

Stephen Manners of UKPAC described the scheme as an important step for Bournemouth’s business community.

“The implementation of an exclusion notice scheme is a crucial step in making the business community safer, both for the people who work there and for the public who visit,” he said.

“It is the business community standing together and saying ‘enough’. Due to repeated behaviour and criminal activity, individuals are no longer welcome within participating premises. If the exclusion notice is breached, further action will be taken.”

Manners added that similar schemes introduced elsewhere have already delivered measurable improvements in community safety.

“The introduction of this scheme is another clear example of Bournemouth Town Centre BID listening to its levy payers and delivering practical action to support them.”

Business Crime Liaison Officer Jackie Arnold said: “The introduction of an ‘Against Business Crime’ exclusion notice is a welcome deterrent for businesses in their fight against retail crime. The Business Crime Reduction Partnership is an essential part of tackling this scourge that affects workers, businesses and visitors.”

Businesses are being urged to continue reporting retail crime, anti-social behaviour and aggressive begging through the SentrySIS system, helping to build evidence and enable enforcement action.
The scheme is being described as a strong example of partnership working in practice, aimed at creating safer spaces and stronger support for Bournemouth town centre businesses.

Sophie Sajic, head of Public Protection at BCP Council, said: “More businesses are opening and investing in our town centres, and BCP Council is proud to support that growth. Through the Business Crime Reduction Partnership and measures like exclusion orders backed by our ASB and CSAS teams, we’re helping create safe, welcoming spaces for everyone to enjoy.”