The number of young children shoplifting has increased in recent years, new figures from the police show.

Shoplifting across the borough has increased by 47 per cent since 2020 with 1,293 offences being recorded for 2023.

The main demographic for shoplifting appears to be people aged between 35 to 54 who account for one in five of the 4,379 reported offences over the last four years. People aged between 11 to 24 make up for 12 per cent of the offences.

The number of shoplifters aged 25 to 34 has steadily increased from 122 incidents in 2020 to almost double in 2023, with 221 reports so far.

There has been a decline in shoplifting incidents involving young people aged 11 to 17 over the past few years.

In 2020, police reported 114 cases which steadily decreased to 64 in 2022. However, the trend took a slight upward turn in 2023 with 79 reported cases so far.

In a contrasting trend, the data for children under the age of 10 paints a different picture.

Although the figures show that children under the age of 10 are the least likely to engage in shoplifting in Blackburn with Darwen, there has been a notable 150 per cent increase in offences within this demographic over the past four years.

In 2020, only one child under the age of 10 was suspected of shoplifting, and there were no reports in 2021.

However, in 2022, the number doubled to two cases and this figure has risen to five cases in 2023.

A trend seen across most age groups is a rise in the number of offences, that local business owners attribute to the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Last month the Lancashire Telegraph spoke to shopkeepers and owners about shoplifting. Faruk, who runs Dress Sense in Blackburn Market said more adults have attempted to steal items of clothing over the past year than ever before.

He said: “People haven’t got any money, they’ve got nothing so stealing is their only way.”

Mr Hassan, owner of News View in Darwen Street, Blackburn, deals with shoplifters on a regular basis.

He said: “It has definitely increased very much. I’ve said to many of the adults, ‘if you’re hungry tell me and I’ll feed you but please don’t steal’ and they’ve explained they have no money.

"I give them the food because they have nothing. That’s why more people are stealing.

“People don’t have jobs so there needs to be more done to support people otherwise business will die."

A council spokesperson said: “We would strongly encourage anyone in Blackburn with Darwen who is struggling with food costs and the cost of living crisis to look at the wide range of support we have locally and nationally, including the Household Support Fund which can help with food and so much more. All the information can be found at: https://www.blackburn.gov.uk/cost-living-support”

Police have been approached for comment.