Retailers feel safer in Stockport, due to a decrease in shoplifting and theft.
A press release from Greater Manchester police shows that personal theft has decreased by 34%, shoplifting by 10% and personal robbery by 18% over the past three years.
Shafaq, who runs the SS3 Boutique in the Merseyway shopping centre said: “It has changed from how it used to be. We get security here all the time”.
She said that the amount of community officers, police and security staff makes her feel safe running her shop and that she never has any ‘trouble’.
Last year, she noticed many ‘youths’ running around the shopping centre, but this has since stopped.
Olalekan Adebayo, manager at the Stockport Markets, said that while they still get shoplifters, the police are very ‘responsive’ and ‘that makes the traders and customers feel safe.’
The centre manager of Merseyway Shopping Centre shared that they have strengthened their security presence and have seen the ‘positive impact of that investment’.
She said: “The safety of our retailers, visitors and staff is a top priority, and we remain committed to investing in both technology and training to ensure Merseyway continues to be a safe and welcoming environment for the community.”
This decrease comes as part of Operation Rimini, a Stockport Neighbourhood operation that aims to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour across the area.
They do this through having a high visibility presence in the busiest areas of Stockport.
The operation led to more than 85 arrests and 170 stop searches in Stockport since launching in 2023.
Stockport has also recently appointed a new district commander, Chief Superintendent Natalie Dalby.
She will focus on reducing neighbourhood crime, improving investigations and victim care.
She stated: “Everyone deserves to live without the threat or fear of criminality within their area and it is vital that we crack down on crime across the board to ensure people feel the effects first-hand.
“Over the last couple of years, Stockport officers have already made significant inroads into multiple types of crime – from town centre shoplifting issues to residential burglaries. I have no doubt that we will see further positive outcomes throughout 2026.”
Stockport’s Neighbourhood Crime Team has been recognised for exceeding targets to reduce personal theft and residential burglaries.
You can report crime to Greater Manchester police here: https://www.gmp.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/
If you are in immediate danger, call 999.
Featured image credit, GMP police. Available at: https://www.gmp.police.uk/news/greater-manchester/news/news/2026/february/stockport-officers-continuing-to-crack-down-on-neighbourhood-crime-across-the-district-with-new-district-commander/