The number of shoplifting offences recorded by police in England and Wales has risen to the highest level in 20 years, with a 39 per cent increase in reported instances in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire. The figure is the highest since current records began in the year to March 2003, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which described the latest increase as “notable”.
Andrew Pakes, Labour and Co-operative Parliamentary candidate for Peterborough, said: “These shocking figures show the scale of Conservative failure on law and order with rising levels of theft and a record high in shoplifting where organised criminals are just getting away with it.”
At the weekend Mr Pakes met with staff at Central Co-op Food Store in Eye to hear more about staff concerns about criminal gangs and rising levels of retail crime.
Alongside Cllr Anna Smith, Labour’s candidate to be Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Mr Pakes has been leading a campaign for tougher enforcement action against retail crimes and greater protection for shopworkers.
“And these latest figures are just crimes that are reported, the true picture on shop theft is much higher,” he said.
“It simply isn’t good enough for the Conservatives to boast we have never had it so good when crime is rising, and neighbourhoods hardly ever see a police officer.
“Labour will put 13,000 more neighbourhood police and PCSOs on beat and I will fight to ensure Peterborough gets our fair share of extra officers.”
He added: “There was also a 23 per cent in theft from persons, such as stolen phones and pick pocketing, and a 13 per cent increase in robberies.
Mr Pakes added: “Labour will put 13,000 more neighbourhood police & PCSOs on beat and I will fight to ensure Peterborough gets our fair share of extra officers.”
Cllr Smith told CambsNews: “Cambridgeshire is the only police area in the East of England that has seen an overall increase in recorded crime over the last year.
“I am particularly concerned to see that there has been a 60 per cent increase in death or serious injury through unlawful driving.
“It’s clear that the eye has been taken off the ball of the ‘Vision Zero’ objectives of eliminating traffic fatalities and severe injuries.
“As Deputy Mayor, I’ve already been looking at how we can get the programme back on track, and as PCC I would make sure I brought partners together to champion this work.”
Cllr Smith added: “The number of shoplifting offences recorded this year are the highest since records began, and our local rise is a shocking 39% – higher than the national figure.”
“It’s clear that the Conservatives have let down our police and our communities. Our police service is one of the lowest funded in the country, leaving our hardworking police officers without the resources they need to do the job.
“I’ll fight for our fair share of the funding, and of the 13,000 new PCSOs and neighbourhood police officers promised by Labour.”
FACT FILE
ONS data is here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/bulletins/crimeinenglandandwales/yearendingdecember2023
