Reading sees big spike in shoplifting, police say

Thames Valley Police has reported a big spike in shoplifting in Reading over the past year.

A total of 2,606 offences were recorded in 2024, an increase of 699 from the year before.

Police commander for Berkshire west, Felicity Parker, put the rise down to the force's "particular attention to those business communities and seeing what we can do for those retailers".

"There are a lot of prolific offenders that are targeting many of the businesses and we are now getting hold of them."

The officer added she was "really proud" of a "16% outcome rate for our victims".

The figures were presented at a Reading Borough Council meeting, attended by Chief Constable Jason Hogg and Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber.

Councillor Micky Leng praised the force's "high-profile campaign on shoplifting", adding it had "worked really well".

"In south Reading, it was quite prolific, to the point where people would come back from the shop and say 'oh the Co-op was getting robbed again' so I went to the one round the corner," he said.

Mr Leng was referring to the store in Whitley Wood Road, which had become a hotspot for thieves.

Police said work in the area last December saw a suspected "prolific shoplifter" arrested.

The Reading neighbourhood police team also said nine people had been charged with 16 shoplifting offences in February.

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