Essex Police have arrested 65 individuals for shoplifting between 29 July and 18 August 2024, as part of a targeted effort to combat retail crime across the county. The arrests were spread across several districts: 15 in Thurrock, 13 each in Chelmsford and Southend, nine in Basildon, seven in Harlow, six in Colchester, one in Tendring, and one arrest by Norfolk Police in Norwich.
In the past three weeks alone, Essex Police officers have secured 116 charges for shop theft and seven charges of assaulting retail workers against 38 individuals. The total number of arrests for shop theft in the last four weeks stands at 91, with the figure rising to 916 between 1 January and 18 August 2024.
The specialist Business Crime Team within Essex Police has been instrumental in these efforts. Working closely with retailers, the team encourages the reporting of shop thefts and assaults on staff through its "Open for Business, Closed for Crime" initiative. The team also reviews every shoplifting arrest and collaborates with local officers to apply for Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) to address persistent offenders.
CBOs are designed to tackle the root causes of criminal behaviour, often requiring offenders to engage with support services such as drug and alcohol addiction treatment. Breaching a CBO is a serious offence, carrying a potential maximum sentence of up to five years in prison, a fine, or both, for adults.
In the past three weeks, Essex Police's Business Crime Team will be seeking CBOs against five of those arrested. Meanwhile, 14 individuals have been bailed for further investigation, ten have received community resolutions, and no further action will be taken against three others.
The Business Crime Team also provides extensive support to businesses, from crime prevention and fraud advice to strengthening ties with community partners such as the Essex Chambers of Commerce and the Essex Federation of Small Businesses. In collaboration with the National Business Crime Centre, the team shares nationally-identified crime trends and best practices with the local business community, helping to identify workplace risks and prevent crime.
For more information, visit the Essex Police Business Crime Team page.
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