Essex Police Arrest Over 2,800 Shoplifters in Two Years as Retail Crime Crackdown Intensifies

Essex Police have made more than 2,800 arrests for shop theft across the county in the past two years, sending a strong message to offenders that retail crime will not be tolerated.

Image: Catch a Thief UK

Between September 2023 and September 2025, neighbourhood policing teams and response officers carried out 2,829 arrests for shoplifting — averaging 118 arrests every month. In the same period, officers also solved 67% more shop theft offences, with many offenders facing swift justice in court thanks to robust evidence, CCTV, and strong witness statements.

Business Crime Team Leading the Charge

Sergeant Christian Denning, head of Essex Police’s Business Crime Team, emphasised the importance of tackling shop theft:

“We take shoplifting seriously because we know how it affects store staff, customers and the businesses themselves. With the current economic challenges, retailers simply cannot afford significant losses due to theft.”

The Business Crime Team works closely with retailers, providing tactical support to frontline officers, sharing expert security advice, and helping staff stay safe. The team’s ‘Open For Business, Closed For Crime’ campaign encourages shopkeepers to report all incidents, ensuring trends can be tracked and repeat offenders targeted.

Criminal Behaviour Orders Clamp Down on Persistent Offenders

A key weapon in Essex Police’s toolkit has been the Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO). These court-issued orders ban persistent shoplifters from targeting certain shops, entire chains, or even major shopping centres. Some offenders are also ordered to attend drug and alcohol treatment programmes to address the root causes of their behaviour.

Currently, 105 shoplifters in Essex are subject to active CBOs. These orders typically last between two and five years but can be much longer. Notably:

In July, a 39-year-old Colchester man was banned from entering any Boots store in England and Wales for ten years.

A Year-old man from Royston, Hertfordshire, was indefinitely forbidden from entering jewellery stores or jewellery sections, as well as Lakeside Shopping Centre.

Offenders who breach their CBOs face arrest and can be jailed or fined, ensuring the orders carry real weight.

A Clear Warning to Shoplifters

Sergeant Denning highlighted the bigger picture:

“Nationally, shoplifting is on the rise and Essex is not immune. But here, we’re making sure offenders know there are consequences — whether that’s being banned from stores, taken through the courts, or put on treatment programmes. Persistent shoplifters will not get a free pass.”

The results underline Essex Police’s determination to protect businesses, staff, and communities from the damaging effects of retail crime.

Image: Catch a Thief UK