Essex Police have secured 4,000 shoplifting charges in the past year, 500 more than the previous 12 months – an increase of 12.5%, the force reported this week.
Assistant chief constable Glen Pavelin said: “More charges and fewer offences – we’re getting a grip of shoplifting.” He highlighted the work of the neighbourhood policing and business crime teams in tackling shop theft.
Shoplifting offences fall by more than 600
Pavelin said: “Now, due to our hard work, over the last year shoplifting levels have fallen with more than 600 fewer offences, and we’re solving more cases. Four thousand charges works out as almost 11 secured every day and highlights the success we’re having at putting suspects in front of the courts.”
One part of the force’s effort in tackling shoplifting has been to get suspects into court as quickly as possible. Pavelin said: “Where the evidence is strong enough, we’re able to go straight to charge rather than having to arrest an offender and bring them in for an interview where they might just go ‘no comment’. And, at court, offenders are also more likely to plead guilty due to the weight of evidence against them.”
Criminal behaviour orders in Chelmsford
The Essex force has also been working to obtain criminal behaviour orders (CBOs) against those convicted, which ban offenders from certain shops or areas. In Chelmsford, there are currently 20 CBOs in place using a combination of enforcement and intervention to challenge harmful behaviour, designed to support positive change and improve the experience of everyone who lives, works and spends time in the city centre.
