Four-fold increase in shoplifting charges recorded

There has been a four-fold increase in the number of charges for shoplifting in Surrey, the police force has said.

Surrey Police said the increase in the past year saw charges in more than 800 cases.

The force's arrest rate also more than doubled from about 10% to 24% in the same period.

Chief Constable Tim De Meyer said: "Retail crime is far from a 'victimless crime'. It leads to fear and loss across a whole network from business owners to employees and customers."

Surrey Police said its solved outcome rate for shoplifting had also increased from about 11% to 23.5% in two years.

The number of arrests for shop thefts also more than doubled in Surrey over the past year.

"From shop owners who have spent years building up their independent business, to a 16-year-old working a Saturday shift at a local store, the breadth of those who can be affected by criminals out to target retail premises is vast," the force added.

Surrey Police launched a joint retail crime survey with the county's police and crime commissioner Lisa Townsend in March.

She said: "I know from speaking to shop owners and staff, and reading the responses to our survey, that retail crime continues to have a significant impact across our county.

"We have seen impressive progress over the last year in tackling this issue but there is clearly more to do."

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