Threat of Retail Crime raised with Rosie Duffield MP in Canterbury

The continued threat of retail crime and store theft, along with rising business rates were discussed when Independent MP for Canterbury Rosie Duffield met with senior member of the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed), Ashish Patel, at St Martins Hill Post Office in the town on Friday, June 5 2026.

Mr Patel, who is the Fed’s South East district president, was joined by his brother Haresh Patel, who has a store in Herne Bay,  as well as the Fed’s Political Engagement Coordinator Douglas Oliver.

Mr Patel explained he has run a series of retail businesses across Kent for a quarter century, including the St Martins Hill Post Office, which he has had since 2017. He told Ms Duffield about the growing challenges facing small shops, which he said had “never been as tough and challenging”.

Mr Patel also specifically identified high levels of theft which had impacted his business’s bottom line through lost stock as well as through indirect costs through the extra security he had to install, including expensive CCTV. He also highlighted a serious ram raid which hit the shop’s ATM in November 2021 inflicting massive damage on the building.

Mr Patel said: “I would like to thank Ms Duffield for her visit and taking the time to listen to the concerns the Fed and I have over retail crime which remains extremely high. I have been working with the Fed locally and nationally to call on the Police to boost their Neighbourhood presence and overall approach to retail crime.”

“I also raised my concerns about rising business rate bills which include certain small shops including several run by members in various parts of Kent. The Fed believes the Government needs to do more to support small shops that are an important part of the character of local communities like this one.”