Calls have been made for tougher sentences as shoplifting reports rise by nearly 70% in Spalding

Calls have been made for tougher sentences to be imposed on shoplifters after an almost 70% rise in reported incidents in Spalding.

A Freedom of Information request submitted by this paper has found that Lincolnshire Police received 138 reports of shoplifting in the town between January 1 and September 14 this year – compared with 82 reports for the entire previous year.

Officers this year have made 22 arrests and, of those, 15 were repeat offenders.

Currently, guidance issued by the Sentencing Council – which sets the punishment that courts must follow – states that a maximum term for stolen goods worth less than £200 is a six month custodial sentence. But many offenders get suspended sentences.

Former police officer and ShopWatch co-ordinator Stuart Brotherton feels that magistrates should be able to impose stronger sentences – especially for repeat offenders – in a bid to clamp down on a crime which costs the country money.

He said: “It can’t be right that a person can rack up 30, 40, 50 offences of shoplifting and still walk the streets.

“It is immensely frustrating for me, the shops, the police and the general public.

“Things need to change. These people are repeat offenders without fear of courts and that does need to change. It needs to happen sooner rather than later as it is costing a lot of money.”

Officers have made 22 arrests for shoplifting in the town between January 1 and September 14 this year and of those, 15 were repeat offenders. In 2022, the police had made four arrests for shoplifting.

Mr Stuart Brotherton said that the statistics are not a surprise and reflect the national picture with similar problems experienced in Sleaford and Holbeach.

But he added that they do not ‘read well’ for a town the size of Spalding.

Mr Brotherton said: “Currently here in Spalding, police are doing the best with what they have got and putting people before the courts and that is where the problem starts.

“These offenders are not dealt with in a way the public would expect. If you have a string of offences against your name for shoplifting, it is a summary offence with six months’ imprisonment maximum.

“Magistrates are restricted on what they can do with these offenders. It is frustrating for the police and they spend a lot of time and effort to put people before courts to see them walk and re-offend.

“Here in Spalding the vast majority of our offenders are people that have drug issues. People that are addicted to drugs or who shoplift to pay for drugs.”

Mr Brotherton, who said that the town, like big cities, does get some travelling gangs of shoplifters, said that magistrates do not have the powers to impose stronger sentences on offenders – and has been calling for a change for some time.

He wanted the Government and Sentencing Council – which sets the tarrifs imposed by the courts – to get tougher on shoplifting and has highlighted a disparity in the law. For instance, a motorist can be fined £660 for not notifying the police who was driving when an offence like speeding was committed.

Mr Brotherton, an officer with 30 years of experience, said: “Repeat offenders can nick to their heart’s content and get a slap on the wrist but if you fail to notify the authorities of who was driving a car then you are going to get fined £660.”

The courts can impose rehabilitation orders as part of a sentence but Mr Brotherton says the programmes need to be effective – with consequences if they are not complied with.

He added: “Shoplifting is not a victimless crime - far from it. Shop workers are threatened. Businesses are victims. We are victims as we pay more because of the goods that are lost as the businesses have to cover that loss.

“There is no quick fix. We all do our best but there are people and shops going through a difficult time.”

A Lincolnshire Police spokesman said: “We take all reports of shoplifting seriously and we work with businesses in Spalding. We also have dedicated patrols in the area.

“We work with partner agencies including Shopwatch and the local council. Persistent reoffenders could find themselves handed a Criminal Behaviour Order.

“Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) are available on conviction for any criminal offence. The order is aimed at tackling the most serious and persistent offenders where their behaviour has brought them before a criminal court.

“These orders seek to provide longer-term solutions to prevent this behaviour, allowing both prohibitive and positive requirements to be imposed. They also provide the courts with additional sentencing powers to deal with any breaches.

“A disproportionate amount of harm and criminal behaviour is committed by a few prolific offenders; by targeting these people we aim to significantly reduce harm in the community.

“We keep a continued watch of people who have been issued with CBOs, and we proactively release their image so that members of the community have the opportunity to recognise offending, and are able to report an incident if one occurs.

“If you have an incident you feel needs police attention, please contact 101.”

Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones says that an increase in arrests shows that police are taking the issue seriously.

He said: “Shop theft is a growing issue across the county and the UK as a whole and has been widely reported.

“While there have been many potential reasons suggested, the reality is that it is never acceptable and aside from the importance of the economic impact on local businesses there is also the human element of intimidation, threats and violence towards retail workers which must never be forgotten or normalise

“I have been clear with the Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police that our communities expect action to be taken to tackle these crimes and I am heartened that the figures are reflecting that action being taken to keep our communities safe.

“Whist we have seen reported incidents in Spalding rise 68% the number of arrests have increased by 450%. It shows the force are taking the problem seriously.

“This increase in arrests shows how important it is to maximise the number of warranted officers on the front line and that it exactly what the Chief Constable has done.”

It’s not a victimless crime – says trader

Greater communication between shops could help to clamp down on Spalding’s shoplifting issues.

Leader of South Holland District Council Nick Worth said shoplifting was not good for the area’s businesses, who are not all members of Shopwatch, and has spoken to local retailers.

He said: “They need better radios so they can inform other shopkeepers so they are prepared for it. Maybe there needs to be some investment in radios.

Coun Worth also said that it had been evident that police have increased their patrols in the area.

Town trader Steve Mason, who runs Masons Models in New Road, confirmed that not all businesses were in Shopwatch.

>He said: “I think it is disgusting that shoplifting goes on.

“They should be sorted and locked up.”

Mr Mason said that shoplifting is not a victimless crime as shops have to bear the brunt of the losses for smaller items.

He said: “It is not fine to steal from people that are just trying to make a living.”