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A stock image of shoplifting (Image: Getty)<\/p>\nThousands of shoplifting offences have been recorded across Avon and SomersetA stock image of shoplifting (Image: Getty)<\/p>\n
New data shows a particular neighbourhood in the Bristol area that suffers more retail theft<\/a> than Bristol city centre<\/a>.<\/p>\n Police in England and Wales recorded more than 500,000 shoplifting offences in 2024, a huge 20% surge on the previous year and the highest number since records began more than 20 years ago.<\/p>\n That includes 18,243 shoplifting crimes recorded by Avon and Somerset Constabulary<\/a>, a 24% increase. Last year, police recorded 698 offences of shoplifting in Almondsbury, Pilning & Severn Beach, the Middle Super Output Area (MSOA) covering the three Severn Estuary villages.<\/p>\n That\u2019s more than anywhere else in Bristol, South Gloucestershire<\/a>, or North Somerset<\/a>. It\u2019s also the second highest number of offences in the Avon and Somerset police force area behind Central Bath<\/a> & Lansdown (922 crime reports), and fourth-highest in the South West region.<\/p>\n While it might at first seem surprising that these villages would take the top spot, it makes more sense when you consider that the MSOA also includes big retail parks like The Mall at Cribbs Causeway.<\/a> Avon and Somerset Police says its dedicated team based at The Mall “work tirelessly” to tackle shoplifting and “have recorded a 91.8 per cent positive outcome rate for incidents of shop thefts” in the past 12 months, with charges and criminal behaviour orders among those outcomes.<\/p>\n In Bristol itself, Kingsdown had the next highest number of offences with 641, followed by Fishponds<\/a> (587), and Bristol\u2019s City Centre<\/a> & Harbourside district (496).<\/p>\n Weston Town had the highest number of shoplifting offences in North Somerset (451 crime reports).<\/p>\n You can see how it compares near you using our interactive map.<\/p>\n A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: “Cribbs Causeway is a thriving retail-centred area and home to a significant number of businesses. Retail crime is a priority for the local team and we know full well the significant impact these crimes has on businesses and shop workers.<\/p>\n “Shoplifting has historically been under-reported and we are encouraged by increased reporting which allows us to better target our resources. Our dedicated team based at The Mall work tirelessly to tackle these issues and in the past 12 months have recorded a 91.8 per cent positive outcome rate for incidents of shop thefts, this includes charging offenders and other resolutions in which offenders have been identified.<\/p>\n “We have successfully used anti-social behaviour legislation, including Criminal Behaviour Orders, to target persistent offenders and where these are breached we will take further action to bring them back before the courts. We encourage continued reporting of these incidents to us.<\/p>\n “While we must prioritise our attendance at incidents based on the risk they pose to the public, investigations are still carried out and the intelligence gathered used to inform proactive policing operations. If an incident is ongoing, call 999. For anything else, report it online through our website or by calling 101.”<\/p>\n Top 10 neighbourhoods with the highest number of shoplifting crimes<\/p>\n Almondsbury, Pilning & Severn Beach (South Gloucestershire) – 698<\/p>\n Kingsdown (Bristol, City of) – 641<\/p>\n Fishponds (Bristol, City of) – 587<\/p>\n City Centre & Harbourside (Bristol, City of) – 496<\/p>\n Headley Park (Bristol, City of) – 458<\/p>\n Weston Town (North Somerset) – 451<\/p>\n Westbury Village (Bristol, City of) – 410<\/p>\n Lockleaze (Bristol, City of) – 396<\/p>\n Henbury & Brentry (Bristol, City of) – 319<\/p>\n