Gloucestershire's shoplifting charge rates rise above national average
Police say a new approach to tackling theft from shops is paying off
A new approach to investigating shoplifting has pushed Gloucestershire's charge and solved rates above the national average, according to the police force.
Gloucestershire Constabulary said the rise followed the launch of Operation Express in December 2025, which changed the way officers deal with shoplifting suspects.
Between May and July this year, the force saw more shoplifting offences solved and more offenders charged compared with the same period in 2025.
The average charge rate in Gloucestershire across the three months was 19.38%, compared with a national average of 16.4%.
In July, 94 shoplifting charges were sought in the county, compared with 36 in July 2025.
The average solved rate in Gloucestershire over the period was 24.72%, which the force said was also above the national average.
Operation Express streamlines how officers deal with shoplifting suspects by not interviewing them when specific criteria are met, according to the Constabulary.
The force said the aim was to take "prompt and robust action", particularly against prolific offenders, while increasing trust and confidence in the retail and business community.
A suspect can only be charged or summonsed without an interview if they meet a set of conditions.
These include not being linked to any modern slavery intelligence, having no eligibility for an out-of-court disposal, and being aged 18 or over.
The Full Code Test must also be met, with all available evidence obtained other than a suspect interview.
There must also be clear CCTV evidence of the offence, and the suspect must have been clearly and unambiguously identified.
The Constabulary said the process was "well embedded" in police forces nationally and had been tried and tested with key partner agencies.
Deputy Retail Crime lead, Chief Inspector Ash Shingler, said shoplifting was "not a victimless crime" and that a lot of positive action had taken place across Gloucestershire in recent months.
"Shoplifting is a complex issue, and there are a number of reasons why people commit these offences," Chief Inspector Ash Shingler said.
"Some offenders are driven by financial hardship or economic pressure, where they struggle to afford essential items such as food, clothing, or other necessities.
"Others commit thefts to fund addictions, often stealing goods which can then be sold to generate cash for drugs or other substances.
"While understanding the causes is important, shoplifting has a significant impact on businesses, staff, customers and local communities, and we remain committed to bringing offenders to justice."