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The Lancashire Post and Blackpool Gazette launched a special campaign earlier this year to raise awareness of 'silent' crimes.
The focus of the campaign was to highlight crimes that often go unreported or are insufficiently investigated.
It came after new data showed shoplifting in the county had hit a record high, with a 20 per cent increase year on year.
Lancashire Police said shoplifting was a key priority and they were working with local businesses to tackle the issue.
A spokesman for the force said: “We are working closely with retail stores to combat shoplifting which can not only impact business bottom lines but can also pose a threat to shop staff.
“Neighbourhoodofficers have been working covertly for many months now and our results are only achievable with the support of the staff from the retail stores.
“We will continue to deploy officers covertly and will provide updates on arrests and sentencing.”
Clive Grunshaw, Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, added shoplifting was a “national epidemic”.
Here are the faces of 13 prolific shoplifters that were punished for their crimes this year:
5. Kelly Dawson
Officers from Blackpool South’s Neighbourhood Policing Team arrested Kelly Dawson for shoplifting during a covert operation on Wednesday, April 17. The 40-year-old was later charged with 13 counts of shoplifting from multiple retail outlets across the Blackpool South area. Dawson, of Burlington Road, Blackpool, was subsequently sentenced to six months in prison the following day. She was also given a two-year criminal behaviour order. | Lancashire Police
6. Victoria Heaton
Victoria Heaton, 47, of Lancaster Road North, Preston was charged with ten shoplifting offences from stores in and around Preston city centre. On April 19, she appeared at Preston Magistrates Court where she pleaded guilty to the offences. She was jailed for 44 weeks and given a criminal behaviour order for two years. | Lancashire Police Photo: Lancs Police
7. Paul Allen
Paul Allen, of Meadowbank, South Ribble, targeted the Booths store on Millbrook Way between January and March this year. The 48-year-old pleaded guilty to six counts of shoplifting after appearing at Preston Magistrates’ Court on May 9. He was subsequently jailed for 24 weeks. | Lancashire Police Photo: Lancashire Police
8. Donna Heaton
Donna Heaton, 46, of Gillett Street, Preston, was given a four-year criminal behaviour order on April 1. The order banned her from entering the Next stores at both Fishergate and Deepdale and One Beyond on Friargate. She was also told she must engage with drug and alcohol services after she was convicted of the shoplifting offences. | Lancashire Police Photo: Lancashire Police