Shoplifting and Retail crime in Barnard Castle town centre. Local retailers have raised concerns about organised shop theft in the town and the impact on their business and customers.

Proactive high visibility patrols have been conducted in hotspot areas. Several prolific offenders have been identified and arrest over the past 2 months, receiving custodial and non-custodial sentences, according to circumstances. Problem solving partnership work with retailers to target harden premises and improve reporting procedures has improved detection and deterrence, and led to an overall reduction in shoplifting offences.