Shoplifting offences in Northern Ireland have hit a five year high with over 7,500 being reported in one year.
There has been a 14% increase in retail thefts reported since prior to the pandemic with police, with the Cost of Living crisis and organised crime gangs having an impact in the rising figures.
In 2022/23 there were 7,512 reported cases of retail theft in Northern Ireland, while there were 6,981 in 2019/20 prior to the Covid pandemic and lockdowns. There was a significant drop in shoplifting figures in 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic.
