Shoplifters are targeting specific items in Marks & Spencers stores, attempting to steal goods worth thousands of pounds, according to Elisa Lewis, a regional manager for M&S shops in Shropshire. She described shoplifting as a "really large issue," noting that it can happen daily or even hourly. Shoplifters range from individuals who may be stealing out of boredom or for fun to those with alcohol or drug dependencies who claim they are stealing to survive. As a smaller woman, Lewis said she found confronting some shoplifters "intimidating," but she has become more accustomed to handling such situations through experience. According to BBC figures, there has been a slight decrease in shoplifting offenses across England and Wales during the last financial year, a trend also observed in the West Mercia police force area. Marks & Spencer enforces a policy of issuing lifetime bans to shoplifters, which Lewis said can be a strong deterrent, especially for younger offenders. However, she noted that some incidents are genuine accidents, and the company takes individuals to an in-house detention room to understand their motivations before taking further action. In other cases, shoplifters come in with a specific list of items to steal, which can be worth thousands of pounds depending on what is requested. Lewis mentioned that the period leading up to Christmas is typically a peak time for shoplifting, as people look for presents or money. She also noted that shoplifting tends to be more common during quieter times of the day. "Usually you find in your first hour of trade is where you're getting people who're reliant on money, drugs, etc.," she said. "They will head for your meat, your alcohol, your suits, because that's what they'll get the most money for." She observed that the level of shoplifting has fluctuated with the cost of living but added that an increased police presence in the town has helped to deter shoplifting. Insp Ingrid Tozer, the West Mercia Police officer responsible for Shrewsbury town centre, stated that the increased police presence has made a noticeable difference. Since October, six police officers and a sergeant have been based in the town, and she said incidents of shoplifting have decreased. "The feedback has been fantastic," she said, adding that the police force believed it had issued criminal behaviour orders to the most prolific offenders. However, engaging traders has been a challenge, according to PC Joseph Bradley, one of the police officers based in Shrewsbury. He noted that efforts to encourage shops to report thefts have been ongoing, as there was a period when reports were not being received frequently. Cath Harmer from Shrewsbury BID, a group representing local businesses, emphasized the importance of retailers continuing to report crime. As the Safer Shrewsbury coordinator and head of the Shrewsbury Rangers, an external security team that patrols the streets, Harmer aims to ensure that shopkeepers report thefts rather than absorbing the losses themselves. She noted that some retailers tend to overlook or underreport theft, which can hinder efforts to address the issue effectively.