Cleveland Police coming under fire, after reports set to go before Hartlepool Borough Council's Audit & Governance Committee reveal retail crime in Hartlepool is soaring....
21st Jan 2025
Retail crime in Hartlepool as well as the wider Tees Valley area is spiralling out of control, according to a recent overview from the Chief Inspector of Cleveland Police.
Startling statistics reveal shop thefts are on the rise, with Hartlepool the focal point of this crime wave. As local businesses grapple with the fallout, the question remains: what's being done to tackle this growing crisis?
In the 12 months leading up to September 2024, its claimed 8,164 thefts were recorded across the Tees Valley, marking a 7% increase compared to the previous year.
Its said Hartlepool alone accounted for 2,117 of these thefts, representing an alarming 16% rise. The situation is even bleaker when zooming in on recent months:
In the last six months, Hartlepool saw 1,251 reports of theft, another 16% increase from the same period last year.
The last month, its claimed a recorded 257 reports of theft were recieved, a jaw-dropping 28.7% rise compared to the previous year.
Whilst thefts are climbing nationwide—rising by 13.68% compared to a national increase of 7.72%—The Cleveland Police force area now sadly holds the dubious title of having the highest retail crime rate per 1,000 population in the entire country.
Amidst the seemingly bleak backdrop, Cleveland Police are boasting a 37% positive outcome rate for shop thefts, significantly outperforming the national average of 16.4%. Over the past year, the overall detection rate for thefts in the area stood at 29.6%, showing that Cleveland Police are solving more cases than many of their forces counterparts, but many fear its simply not enough to reassure local businesses and residents that Cleveland Police is seriously getting tough on crime, with many claiming that whilst Cleveland Police’s higher detection rate is commendable, it doesn't address the root causes of the dramatic surge in thefts reported in the town.
The Human Cost of Retail Crime
For many local shopkeepers, the statistics translate into daily struggles. Rising theft rates mean increased security costs, higher insurance premiums, and increased prices for law abiding customers. Businesses in Hartlepool, already reeling from economic challenges, are left wondering how much longer they can shoulder the burden.
Residents, too, are said to be feeling the strain. Frequent thefts in retail spaces contribute to a perception of lawlessness, eroding what little trust remains in Cleveland Police and the community's sense of safety. For a town like Hartlepool, where small businesses are the lifeblood of the local economy, this trend is particularly damaging to the areas local economy.
What's Driving the Spike?
Cleveland Police have yet to provide a clear explanation for the sharp increase in retail crime, however its claimed Substance Misuse is seemingly one of the driving factors behind much of the repeat offending. Economic pressures, such as the cost-of-living crisis, and inadequate deterrents for repeat offenders are all likely to be also contributing factors. Yet, the root causes seemingly remain unaddressed, leaving businesses and residents in limbo.
The rise in retail crime is more than just a statistic—it’s a symptom of deeper societal issues that require urgent attention. Local councils as well as Cleveland Police must work together to tackle the causes of crime, providing support to affected businesses in a bid to restore much needed public confidence.
In the meantime, businesses are being urged to take preventative measures, such as investing in enhanced security systems and working closely with police to identify offenders. But critics claim these stopgap solutions won't suffice in the long run with more police on the streets needed to act as an effective deterrent.
As Cleveland Police faces mounting pressure to combat the region’s retail crime epidemic, the people of Hartlepool are left wondering just how worse is the crime statistics going to get in an area already blighted with crime levels comparable to that of central London...
Have Your Say....
Is it time to introduce a 'two strikes & you're sent to prison' policy for Theft & Shoplifting ?
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