POLICE tasked with cracking down on a huge spike in retail crime in Barnsley have vowed to get tougher on thieves this year - after figures revealed just a third of those caught go on to be charged.

Barnsley-based officers have set their sights on boosting charge rates to at least 40 per cent in the hope of boosting retailers’ trust amid long-held claims from trade unions that not enough is being done to deter criminals from committing theft.

According to a police report, Barnsley as a whole has recorded a 14 per cent climb in retail crime in the last year alone.

“Current figures show 32 per cent of offenders are being charged in relation to retail crime and we aim to increase the prosecution rate to 40 per cent,” it added.

“By prosecuting more offenders the force will be able to ensure that preventative measures such as criminal behaviour orders are being used to refer offenders to partner agencies - such as drug and alcohol misuse centres - to prevent repeat offences.

“Increasing the police outcome rate will contribute to reducing reoffending, not least through the use of remand and bail conditions.

“The force will demonstrate to retailers their commitment, which will positively influence trust and confidence.

“Key to success will be business crime reduction partnerships, which is a key tenet of our charter.

“Barnsley and Doncaster’s respective groups have become well established, while Sheffield and Rotherham’s groups have formed and participation is growing.

“We will continue to work with retailers to encourage them to utilise a digital evidence portal which will ensure that CCTV is received quickly and in an appropriate format.”

Police analysts have been tasked with preparing a bi-monthly document to highlight ‘hotspot’ areas, which force bosses say will enable targeted patrols to encourage partnership working with impacted stores.

The scrapping of a £200 threshold - which shoplifters had to have exceeded before court proceedings could be launched - has also been cited as a step in the right direction.

Paddy Lillis, general secretary of trade union Usdaw, praised the government’s commitment to reducing retail crime.

“Retail crime, theft from shops and abuse of staff are real concerns for our members and we welcome that they have been highlighted at the highest level with the Prime Minister.

“Keir Starmer’s response shows that we have seen a complete change in the government response, under Labour, to a significant increase in theft from shops, which has doubled since the pandemic and risen in the last 12 months.

“This contrasts with 14 years of the Conservatives refusing to support the calls from Usdaw and many major retailers for significant action.

“New legislation will deliver a much-needed protection of retail workers’ law, end the indefensible £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters which has effectively become an open invitation to retail criminals, along with introducing sterner orders for repeat offenders.

“It is our hope that these new measures will help give shop workers the respect they deserve.

“No-one should feel afraid to go to work, but too many retail workers are.

“They provide an essential service and deserve our respect and the protection of the law.

“Shoplifting is not a victimless crime - theft from shops has long been a major flashpoint for violence and abuse against shopworkers.

“Having to deal with repeated and persistent shoplifters can cause issues beyond the theft itself like anxiety, fear and in some cases physical harm to retail workers.

“This is a hugely important issue for our members and they are saying loud and clear that enough is enough.”

The reoffending rate in Barnsley stood at 29.2 per cent last year, up from 26.4 per cent the year before, and it’s hoped better use of criminal behaviour orders and public space protection orders - which effectively prohibit a person from entering an area - will prove a success.

If in breach, a person subject to an order can be imprisoned for breaking court-imposed rules.

Barnsley South MP Stephanie Peacock added: ““The government has committed to ensuring that police attend every report of shoplifting and to remove the £200 threshold for reporting an incidence of the crime.

“Shoplifting is often accompanied by violence against workers so this will help stop these crimes being committed.”