A RECORD number of shoplifting crimes were recorded in South Yorkshire last year, new figures show.
New Home Office figures show 15,184 shoplifting offences were recorded by South Yorkshire Police in 2024 up ten per cent from 13,825 the previous year, and the highest figure since records began in 2003.
Across England and Wales, police forces logged 516,971 shoplifting offences last year up 20 per cent from 429,873 in 2023, and also the highest figure since records began, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Shoplifting offences have been running at record levels for the past two years and have seen a ‘sharp rise’ since the Covid-19 pandemic, the ONS warned.
Tom Ironside, director of business and regulation at the British Retail Consortium, said: “Retail crime is continuing to spiral out of control with shop theft costing retailers over £2.2bn a year.
“And while retailers are spending £1.8bn on anti-crime measures, thieves are becoming bolder, and more aggressive, resulting in an increase in violence and abuse against staff.
“It is vital we see more police resource allocated to tackle this epidemic of crime.”
