MP’s shock at city shoplifting

LOCAL MP Tessa Munt has spoken out over the level of shoplifting suf- fered by Wells traders.

- NANCY CONNOLLY

Her party the Liberal Democrats are calling for a mass CCTV rollout, offering small independent shops grants and loans up to £6,500 to install modern CCTV to deter shoplifters.

Ms Munt, MP for Wells and Mendip Hills, said: "Wells attracts a huge number of shoppers and tourists from across the region and beyond.

"Speaking to traders, I was shocked to hear about the level of shoplifting, the staff feeling they have to challenge shoplifters to pay for or return goods as they cannot rely on a police response, and the financial impact faced by our retailers as a result of their losses.

"I fully support Wells' shopping streets being named a priority area under the Avon and Somerset Neighbourhood Guarantee, and believe everything possible should be done to reduce the number of crimes and their impact."

"Nationally, just 19% - or fewer than one in five - shoplifting cases led to a suspect being charged or summoned compared to over half of cases (55%) which were closed without a suspect being identified."