Thousands of shoplifting offences in County Durham and Darlington have gone unpunished as traders continue to count the cost of stolen items.

New figures show more than 7,000 offences occurred across the region over the past year, yet only around 1,500 cases resulted in a prosecution. 

Durham Constabulary has logged an alarming 23,771 shoplifting offences since April 2021.

Offences reached a high in between April 2023-24 as 7,142 incidents were recorded. However, just 1,657 offences resulted in a charge or summons, according to data obtained by Personal Injury Claims UK. 

In some cases, offenders were cautioned and penalty notices were handed out. Others were resolved by community resolution. 

It comes amid a Durham police crackdown on shoplifting through enhanced CCTV and security measures. Dozens of Darlington businesses have signed up to the force’s ShopWatch scheme, which provides stores with radios and phones so they can quickly share information about suspicious activity with the police.

One Darlington business owner praised the success of the scheme, saying it helps them catch shoplifting early and more often. “Shoplifting in Darlington is horrendous and jeopardises people's jobs and shops shut down because of it,” said staff at MaxiDeals in the town centre. 

Yet, other traders say more needs to be done to tackle recurrent thieves. 

Durham Constabulary said the consequences of the crime mean everyday shoppers are paying more for food and drink. 

“Retail crime is far from being a victimless crime; it hurts businesses who must grapple with higher costs and lost stock, resulting in an increase in prices for us all,” a spokesperson said. 

“We work closely with businesses and support ShopWatch schemes which operate in several towns across our force area. This is an excellent initiative which allows businesses to quickly share information on active offenders within their area, stopping potential shoplifters in their tracks and has proved time and time again to be a great tool.”

Yet the force stressed the need to identify why people commit shoplifting offences. 

The spokesperson added: “As a force, it’s also important that we look at the bigger picture and look to find out why individuals offend in the first place and seek to address the underlying reasons for offending.

“Officers and staff from Durham Constabulary’s Integrated Offender Management Unit work with offenders after they have been released from prison and look to help break their cycle of crime by offering help and support with addiction and mental health.

“Prevention and rehabilitation play a key factor in helping reduce these types of offences, but we simply cannot combat it alone.

“You can report shoplifting by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency”.