Lancashire shop thefts fall by more than 10 per cent, latest police figures reveal

The number of shop thefts in Lancashire has fallen by more than 10 per cent, latest police crime figures have revealed.

Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed a further overall decrease in shoplifting since the pandemic, as reported in the latest police recorded crime statistics for England and Wales, showing that in the year to March 2026, there was a four per cent decrease in shoplifting across the two nations, adding to last quarter’s one per cent reduction.

The Office for National Statistics released figures today showing a seven percent decrease in the level of shoplifting incidents across the North West.

Shoplifting was down 11 per cent in Lancashire and Merseyside and down 12 per cent in Greater Manchester.

Only Cumbria failed to show a reduction with shop thefts up by one per cent.

Usdaw’s annual survey of nearly 9,000 retail staff showed that over three-quarters had suffered verbal abuse and far too many had been threatened or assaulted.

Two-thirds of respondents said that incidents of violence, threats and abuse they had experienced were triggered by shop theft or armed robbery.

Joanne Thomas, Usdaw general secretary says: “Retail crime remains at very high levels. While there has been a welcome small decrease across England and Wales, that is not uniform – as shown in the North West.

“The fact is retail crime continues to be a significant issue for the sector and particularly staff, so the Government must continue their efforts to tackle this problem.

“Usdaw’s last survey found that this is in no way a victimless crime, with two-thirds of attacks on retail staff being triggered by theft or armed robbery.

“Having to deal with repeated and persistent offences can cause issues beyond the theft itself, like anxiety, fear and physical harm to retail workers.

“We have campaigned along with many retail employers for substantial legislative measures to combat this growing problem, and we are pleased that the Government has delivered the Crime and Policing Act.

“The Conservatives persistently refused to legislate to protect retail workers and effectively provided an open invitation to retail criminals, which is why retail crime doubled under them to record levels.

“Labour immediately set about tackling the issue and we are now starting to see the results of their investment in policing and funding for more uniformed officer patrols in shopping areas. The Act delivers a much-needed protection of retail workers’ law; ends the indefensible £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters and Respect Orders for offenders will be introduced on 26 October.

“Labour has also started the process of reforming police services to put a greater focus on local crime and provide a Local Policing Guarantee. It is our hope that these new measures will help give retail workers the respect they deserve.”