CUMBRIA has seen a dramatic increase in the number of shoplifting offences over the past five years, an investigation has found.

Over 2,000 shoplifting offences took place across the county in 2023/24, which is the highest incidents have been in the last five years.

Figures obtained by Personal Injury Claims UK found Cumbria Police had logged 9,666 shoplifting offences across the county since April 2021.

The number of crimes decreased significantly from 2,192 to 1,392 in 2020/21 due to the restrictions and lockdowns during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, shoplifting offences have been steadily increasing ever since.

An FOI request submitted to Cumbria Constabulary found there were 1,776 shoplifting offences in 2021/22, with a further 2,047 incidents in 2022/23.

From April 2023 to April 2024, the county then saw a total of 2,259 shoplifting offences.

(Image: Shoplifting offences in Cumbria from April 2019 to April 2024. Credit: Personal Injury Claims UK)

The data comes in light of the news that shoplifting in England Wales increased to a new 20-year high after the Office for National Statistics revealed that offences have been up 30 per cent in the previous 12 months.

One of the suggested driving factors behind the increase in shoplifting offences is said to be the cost-of-living crisis that the UK has experienced over recent years.

Commenting on the findings, Temporary Superintendent Lee Skelton said: Cumbria Police work all-year-round with business representatives to prevent thefts from shops and to catch those who carry out these offences.

“Although we have seen a rise in shoplifting offences, this is in line with the national rise and Cumbria has one of the lowest rates in the country.

“Shoplifting is not a victimless crime. It hits businesses, which contribute to the Cumbrian economy and provide jobs.

“One of the best ways we can tackle offences like this is through receiving information from those working in shops and from members of the public who see anything suspicious.

“We would encourage shops to contact police to report all incidents of theft. It is only by receiving reports from the public that we can identify suspects to hold them to account for their actions.

“The more accurate the information we have for offending in a local area, the more intelligence we have to ensure we resource areas appropriately.

“We’d like to reassure the public that while we have seen this rise, crime overall in Cumbria has decreased by 8.3 per cent.”

Research conducted by Personal Injury Claims UK can be found here.