Crime maps list shoplifting hotspots

AS “Kamikaze” shoplifting sweeps Britain, a new crime map has revealed Accrington to be listed in the top 10 Lancashire neighbourhoods with the highest number of shoplifting crimes.

- BY JON MACPHERSON, RICHARD AULT

Police in England and Wales recorded more than 500,000 shoplifting offences in 2024, a huge 20% surge on the previous year and the highest number since records began more than 20 years ago.

That includes 10,947 shoplifting crimes recorded by Lancashire Constabulary, a 6% increase.

Accrington West has 335 offences recorded making the area rank 5th in the top 10 Lancashire neighbourhoods with the highest number of shoplifting crimes.

More than one in two retail workers (56%) say they have witnessed so-called “Kamikaze” shoplifting, thefts that take place in plain sight, in their workplaces.