Greater Manchester Police arrested 3,631 people for shoplifting between April 2024 and March 2025, a 50% surge on the previous year’s 2,400 arrests, official figures released today reveal.

The force charged 1,938 suspects and remanded them in custody while bailing a further 957 - increases of 38% and 63% respectively - pushing solved outcomes up by 59%. In May alone officers made 261 arrests and secured 192 charges.

Superintendent Cara Charlesworth, GMP’s lead for retail crime, said neighbourhood teams have “worked closely with businesses to identify issues they are facing and provide bespoke advice and plans” while also directing vulnerable offenders toward charities, hostels and food banks. “We regularly provide support to vulnerable people, ensuring they get the advice they need depending on their unique situation,” she added.

As national Neighbourhood Week of Action focuses on shoplifting today, officers are mounting high-visibility and covert patrols, executing warrants against resale gangs, and sharing intelligence through district single points of contact. Deputy Mayor Kate Green said the figures demonstrate “robust action to tackle shoplifting head-on” and praised “visible, proactive” policing that keeps “high streets safer and stronger for everyone.”

---

Source: Read original article