Shoplifting on the rise in Norfolk according the Office of National Statistics - but crime as a whole on the decline
Shoplifting and robbery offences have risen in Norfolk - but crime as a whole is on the decline.
Despite overall crime rates falling by 5.4%, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that Norfolk saw a 19.9% increase in shop theft offences from September 2023 to 2024.
This comes at the same time as figures rise for robbery (up by 9.2%), burglary (up 5.3%), sexual offences (up 2.4%), theft offences (up 1.9%) and possession of offensive weapons (up 1.8%).
There were 59,236 crimes were recorded in Norfolk in the year ending September 2024, compared to 62,597 in the previous 12 months.
"Even with the increase, which equates to 101 offences, Norfolk has the second lowest burglary rate in the country,” Chief Constable Paul Sanford said.
“We know this is an intrusive crime, and I appreciate statistics provide little comfort to people who have been the victim of burglary, but we investigate these crimes robustly and relentlessly target offenders to prevent further crimes from happening.”
Last week, Cristina Curt, a 27-year-old woman who travelled the country stealing £48,000 worth of cosmetics from Tesco stores, was sentenced to 18 months in jail after being caught at a store in Lynn back in October.
At the time, the sums involved were described as as “eye-watering”.
However, many other types of offences were recorded to have dropped in numbers:
• Public order offences down 17.5%
• Stalking and harassment down 17.1 %
• Bike theft down 15%
• Knife crime down 11.6%
• Drug offences down 9.7%
• Violence against the person down 8.1%
• Violence without injury down 5.3%
• Criminal damage and arson down 5%
• Vehicles offences down 4.9%
• Violence with injury down 4.4%
• Theft from the person down 4%
“It’s pleasing to see continued reductions in overall crime, with 3,361 fewer crimes recorded which means fewer people becoming the victim of crime in our county,” the Chief Constable added.
“Officers and staff throughout the organisation are committed to protecting our communities, putting victims first, seeking justice, and addressing criminal behaviour.
“We have seen continued reductions in crimes which often have the biggest impact on our communities such as vehicle crime, arson, knife crime, and criminal damage.”