Police to target 500 chronic shoplifters in retail crime crackdown in England and Wales
Summary
Police in up to 17 forces across England and Wales will target 500 prolific shoplifters, using stronger evidence collection, high-street bans, GPS tagging and intensive supervision. The government has allocated an additional £2.5 million and says the effort will also address causes of repeat offending, including drug and alcohol addiction.Key Facts
- The crackdown will focus on 500 repeat shoplifters across England and Wales.
- Police will use criminal behaviour orders to bar some offenders from high streets and town centres.
- Other measures include GPS tagging and regular court hearings; serious breaches could lead to imprisonment.
- The government says foreign offenders could face deportation.
- The plan has £2.5 million in additional funding and may involve up to 17 police forces.
- Police-recorded shoplifting in England and Wales reached a record level in 2024, exceeding 500,000 offences; the article says the total fell by 2% last year.
- Metropolitan police data says a 2025 operation targeting 10 shoplifters in Bromley reduced recorded retail crime there by 70%.
- The Metropolitan police said 104 repeat offenders were responsible for more than 5,300 shoplifting crimes over two years.
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