Police boss wants tougher shoplifting sentencing

Chief Constable Paul Sanford has called for stronger sentences for shoplifters

A chief constable said it was "tiring" to see shoplifters convicted "literally hundreds of times" and then released to steal again.

Norfolk Police's Paul Sanford said he was concerned sentences were not tough enough as figures showed a significant increase in shoplifting in the county.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that while reports of shoplifting rose by 13% across England and Wales, they had risen by 22.5% in Norfolk.

According to the ONS 6,382 cases of shoplifting were reported to Norfolk Police in the 12 months to June 2025, up from 5,211 the year before. The Home Office has been asked for comment.

Cases of shoplifting in Norfolk rose significantly more than the national average

Mr Sanford said he was "proud" of his officers rate in detecting shoplifting, with almost 43% of cases resulting in charge, caution or other out-of-court resolution.

He added his force's record in handling cases could be why more were reported in Norfolk as "if you call us we're going to do something about".

But he warned the justice system was not doing enough to stop repeat thieves.

"It is really tiring to see offenders who we are convicting literally hundreds of times for these offences coming back to the same stores time and time again," he said.

"We need to have a look at what an effective deterrent is."

He also said he feared a planned sentencing review by the government would lead to lighter punishments for theft.

"I'm concerned that the sentencing review will see a reduction in people committing these thefts going to prison, seeing more management in the community," he said.

"That will only work if the management in the community is properly resourced and if the sanction is still a sufficient deterrent to stop the act."

"Shoplifting has increased over the last few years" said the East of England Co-Op's head of security, Lee Hammond

The chief constable is not the only one who wants tougher sentences.

"We see it as a real problem," said Lee Hammond, head of security at the East of England Co-op, which has stores across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire.

"Unfortunately the feeling of the right to steal has clearly increased over the last few years."

Responsible for more than 120 convenience stores, Mr Hammond said organised crime groups were increasingly involved in shop theft, with "high value products such as alcohol, cheese, household items and confectionery" commonly targeted.

These could then be sold at shops dealing in stolen goods or car boot sales, he explained.

He said his teams worked closely with police to provide CCTV and other evidence to help secure convictions, but more was needed.

"Sentences should be longer, they should be harsher and [we need] more police officers on the ground to help deal with that," he said.

Shop manager Sasha Coleby said she believed clothes were being stolen to then be sold on

Sasha Coleby, manager of Designs clothes shop in King's Lynn, said shoplifting "was getting worse now with the cost of living".

"I think a lot's for resale," she added.

"They will literally try anything," said the shop's owner Zoe Ridge, who added items taken ranged from "an expensive coat to a box of boxer shorts".

But the pair said the police were "excellent" at responding quickly and praised the local system set up to help combat shoplifting.

"We have the Shopwatch radios in place, which is in connection with the town CCTV control and with the police and local street rangers," said Ms Coleby.

"All the owners and managers of stores are on that system can communicate with each other."

Tamsin Payne from the Sue Ryder charity shop said she could not understand why people would steal from them

"I can't honestly say why anybody would steal from a charity shop – we try and keep our prices so low," said Tamsin Payne, manager of King's Lynn's Sue Ryder shop.

While she also praised the work of local authorities to counter thieves, she said the shop – which raises money for palliative care – was often targeted.

"Even though our prices are £3 or less, and the average price for most of our goods is £2, people are still coming in and stealing.

"It's disheartening for volunteers and staff and there's not a huge amount we can do without putting [them] at risk."