SHOPLIFTING crimes in West Mercia reached a record high in the past year, new figures show.
Figures from the Home Office show there were 9,775 shoplifting crimes recorded by West Mercia Police in the year to March – a 26% increase from 7,728 the year before.
It was also the highest figure since records began in 2003.
It follows the overall trend for England and Wales, as a total of 443,995 offences were logged by forces in the year to March 2024, up 30% on the 342,428 recorded in the previous 12 months.
The figure is the highest since current records began, according to the Office for National Statistics, which described the latest increase as notable.
The number of robberies recorded in England and Wales rose to 81,019, up 8% from 75,012 in the previous 12 months.
In West Mercia, there were 605 robberies recorded, with 179 (30%) involving a knife or sharp instrument.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel