Less than half shoplifting offences in West Midlands are reported to police, report states

Retail crime is one of the items set to be discussed by members of the West Midlands Police and Crime Panel when it meets later this month.

Back in October, official figures showed there had been a huge spike in crime with 26,145 shoplifting incidents recorded in the 12 months up to June 2024 compared with 19,184 in the previous 12-month period.

A report to the panel said reasons for this increase were down to a number of factors such as the cost of living crisis and the availability of goods in stores.

The paper goes on to say it is estimated that only 42 per cent of all retail crime is reported to the police.

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster said work is being done to encourage more reporting and attending incidents quickly.

In the report, he said: “There has been a sharp increase in reported retail crime in the West Midlands and nationally.

“Only an estimated 42 per cent of all retail crime is reported to police. There are a number of contributions to the increase, including: the cost of living crisis, availability of goods within stores and other external factors.

“The new LPA operating model means officers are attending more shop lifting offences. This is consequently encouraging shop owners to report crimes.

“Communities are becoming more confident in that it is being reported locally and responded to quickly.

“Prison capacity is at maximum. While it is not a policing role to comment on criminal justice outcomes, it is the case that many of those convicted for shop lifting offences will not be given a custodial sentence.

“The Force are focussing on attendance times to ensure that the grade is right when there is an offender detained within the store and because actions within the first few hours of offending massively impact outcomes.

“Investigations are relatively straightforward due to availability of CCTV, witnesses, etc. Retail crime/shoplifting is treated much more seriously than it was 18 months to two years ago.

“Shoplifting is a standard agenda item at the Force’s performance day. Recording levels have now plateaued. Encourage the public, shop-workers, store owners and store managers to report incidents.

“Data indicates that serious and organised crime is not a driving factor behind the increase in shoplifting. The discrepancy in positive outcome rates across the Force is being addressed.

“It is largely attributed to different levels of innovation by local authorities working in conjunction with the Force and PCC, leading to better positive outcome rates.”