Sussex Police has reported a “significant drop in shoplifting” following targeted patrols and convictions in Worthing.
Recent data shows police quadrupled the rate of shop thefts being solved last year compared to 2022. The total number of shoplifting offences has also declined by eight per cent in the past 12 months, compared to the same period a year earlier.
The town was named the UK’s “shoplifting capital” in 2025, with 23.2 incidents per 1,000 residents.
Three offenders have been sentenced in court for the offence since March.
Fardin Farji, 32, of no fixed address, admitted eight thefts at stores in Worthing and Shoreham through March and April this year. In particular, he targeted the Co-op store in Goring Road, Worthing.
At Crawley Magistrates’ Court on April 16, Farji was jailed for six weeks and a criminal behaviour order was imposed which prohibits his entry into shops in West Sussex.
Daniel Mansfield, 41, of Ivy Arch Road, Worthing, was convicted of 14 shop theft offences and eight breaches of a criminal behaviour order for thefts committed between August last year and March.
He targeted Morrison’s stores in Newland Street, Worthing, and Broadwater Road, Worthing.
At Crawley Magistrates’ Court on March 26, Mansfield admitted the offences and a 12-week suspended prison sentence was imposed, along with a further surcharge and requirement to complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement sessions.
TJ Nelms, 24, of no fixed address, targeted Morrison’s in Hawthorn Road in Littlehampton and the Co-op in Goring Road, Worthing, between January and March this year.
He admitted six shop thefts and two counts of failing to comply with a community protection notice when he appeared before Crawley Magistrates’ Court on March 20. Nelms was jailed for 16 weeks.
In 2024, Sussex Police pioneered the use of One Touch Reporting, a scheme in Adur and Worthing allowing staff to immediately report offences at the touch of a button.
Police said the scheme has led to an expected and significant increase in the total number of reports.
Adur and Worthing district commander Chief Inspector James Davidson said “tackling shoplifting is a priority” for the force and the convictions “demonstrate our ongoing commitment to prosecuting the worst offenders and securing convictions”.
He said: “Reports of shoplifting in Worthing increased significantly following the introduction of a unique pilot scheme to make reporting as easy as possible.
“This One Touch Reporting scheme makes it easier and more efficient for shop staff to report crime, ensuring that crimes are recorded accurately and our resources are targeted more effectively.
“The information and intelligence gained from this has fed into a proactive policing approach, alongside our partners, leading to a significant fall in the number of incidents over the last year.
“Visible policing and community reassurance remains central to our approach to tackling shop theft. We work with businesses and partners to promote and increase reporting, and to encourage crime prevention measures.
“Meanwhile, through Operation Apprentice, we target prolific offenders, and we continue to take robust action through both civil and criminal measures to reduce the harm caused to communities, arrest more offenders, solve more crimes, and secure more court convictions.
“We continue to encourage the public, businesses and staff to report incidents to us online or by calling 101. In an emergency always call 999.”
Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said the rise in shoplifting reports “shows that businesses finally have the confidence to report because they know that officers will respond and the results are positive”.
She said: “Policing relies on accurate intelligence and reporting of crime to deploy resources effectively and identify offenders. Without that information, shoplifters will go unchallenged and our high streets will suffer. That’s why I have worked tirelessly with businesses and our crime reduction partnerships to encourage people to report every incident of shop theft, abuse and assault on staff.
“However, with more incidents now being reported, we often see Sussex cited as having some of the highest volume of shoplifting offences per head of population.
“The reality is that increasing reporting has enabled Sussex Police to take robust action. As reporting figures have risen, our dedicated Business Crime Team has worked with Business Crime Reduction Partnerships and retailers to give officers a better understanding of the impact of shoplifting. As a result, we are now seeing more crimes being solved and more offenders brought to justice.
“I also want to be clear that there is no £200 minimum threshold for reporting shoplifting. The Crime and Policing Bill 2025 removed the outdated distinction that treated offences under £200 as “low value”. Every shop theft is a crime that matters and every offence should be reported to the police.
“Compared with many other force areas nationally, Sussex is leading by example – prioritising strong partnerships with retailers, using innovative reporting methods and taking a firm, consistent approach to tackling both opportunistic shoplifting and organised retail crime.
“This is how we ensure Sussex remains a safe place to live, work and do business.”
Source link
[Featured]
[Just In]
