Shoplifting rates in the Humberside Police area are above the national average, with 10.1 incidents per 1,000 people, placing it eighth highest in England. Within North East Lincolnshire, the rate is 15.7 incidents per 1,000 people, significantly higher than the national average of 8.1.
Data indicates a rise in recorded shoplifting offences in the Humberside Police area, from 9,317 in 2024-25 to 9,706 in 2025-26. Victoria Street West in Grimsby is identified as a hotspot, accounting for nearly 10% of recorded incidents in North East Lincolnshire.
Chief Inspector Claire Jacobs, Humberside Police's lead for retail crime, stated that the force recognises the impact of shoplifting. She added that Office for National Statistics crime figures showed a 40% "positive outcome rate" for the force between August 2025 and July 2026, referring to recorded crimes resulting in action such as charges or cautions.
Tee Khan, managing director of the organisation Wizer, which rehabilitates offenders, suggested that underlying factors such as homelessness, mental health problems, and drug dependencies can contribute to some offending.