Time is running out for members of the business community to have their say on the impact of retail crime.
Just a week remains to fill in a new survey, launched by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner in partnership with Surrey Police.
Respondents are being asked about their experiences of this type of offending, as well as any economic, emotional or physical harm suffered.
Retail crime has a significant impact in Surrey, and both Commissioner Lisa Townsend and Chief Constable Tim De Meyer are determined to deal with offenders robustly and listen closely to concerns.
Last week, six thieves who travelled across the south of England stealing more than £130,0000-worth of goods were sentenced after Surrey PC Ben Marshall unravelled two years of offending.
Meanwhile, a targeted partnership initiative in Redhill over the past year has resulted in 155 arrests, including for retail theft, while a prolific shoplifter was held in the north of the county in January.
While every effort has been made to share the survey with as many people as possible, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has urged recipients to share the link within their networks to allow us to hear from anyone who would like to respond.
“Far from a ‘victimless crime'”
The Commissioner said: “This type of criminality is far from a ‘victimless crime’, and we are determined to tackle it head-on.
“Entire communities can be affected by retail crime. It can make those who live and work in Surrey feel less safe on the streets.
“While arrests, convictions and out-of-court interventions for retail crime are improving in the county, we know there is more work to do, and I urge Surrey’s business community to share their thoughts in our survey.”