In the pedestrianised area of Scarborough town centre there have been 463 recorded incidents of shop theft in 2025-26 – more than in the larger York city centre, which had 395.
A decade ago, North Yorkshire Police charged or issued summons to court to suspects in 41% of their retail crime investigations, but in 2025-26 it was only in 29% of cases.
The national rate of shoplifting is 8.1 offences per 1,000 people, and in North Yorkshire it is lower than that at 4.8 incidents. Wooler Street and Huntriss Row in Scarborough are said to be hotspots for the crime.
Officers on patrol work with store managers, keeping up a regular dialogue on the movements of known offenders.
One manager of a large clothing shop tells them that it is not unusual for shoplifters to take hundreds of pounds’ worth of goods in one go.
Criminal Behaviour Orders, which ban prolific thieves from entering specific premises, retail parks and areas, are imposed – breaches can result in a prison sentence.
Ch Insp Chapman says a growing number of them are being issued.
“We need to work with partner agencies and retailers to manage these suspects better in the community.
“The biggest feedback I get from retailers is frustration that the sentences are shorter than what they expect.”
