More than 2,800 arrested for shop thefts across Essex in 2 years
Police say tackling shoplifting remains a priority, with officers working closely with businesses to catch offenders.
Essex Police have made more than 2,800 arrests for shop theft across Essex in the past two years - also solving 67% more offences.
Between 14 September 2023 and 13 September 2025, response officers and neighbourhood policing officers made 2,829 arrests for shop theft.
They have said they solved 1,627 more shoplifting offences in the 12 months to 31 August 2025, compared with the year to 31 August 2023.
Currently in Essex, 105 shoplifters are subject to CBOs, imposed by the courts. Conditions can include being banned from entering shops they frequently target or, depending on their offending patterns, entire store chains across Essex and even further afield.
In July a 39-year-old Colchester man was banned from entering any Boots store in England and Wales for ten years.