Shoplifting 'epidemic' as offences on the rise

YORKSHIRE shops were targeted by thieves more than 52,000 times last year.

- By CLARA MARGOTIN & ELIZABETH MACKLEY

Latest Home Office figures show West Yorkshire Police recorded 22,666 shoplifting offences in 2024. This was an increase from 22,203 in 2024, and the highest since records began in 2003.

Meanwhile, South Yorkshire Police recorded 15,184 such crimes last year, compared to 13,825 in 2023. North Yorkshire Police recorded 5,526 shoplifting offences - a 13% increase on 4,899 the previous year and, as with West and South Yorkshire, the highest number since records began.

Humberside Police recorded 9,251 offences, compared to 9,136 in 2023.

Across England and Wales there were a total 516,971 shoplifting offences in the past year - a 20% rise from 429,873 in 2023 - marking the highest number since records commenced in 2003, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).