Police will be increasing their presence in town centres across Lancashire and deploying undercover officers into stores to try and tackle the rise in shoplifting offences.

Across the county in 2022/23, there were 9,123 recorded crimes of shoplifting, an increase of 16.7 per cent when compared to the previous financial year.

Such retail crimes can sometimes be accompanied by assaults and threats of violence by offenders, putting the retail owners and staff in danger.

To tackle the current levels of retail crime in Lancashire, the force has launched Operation Vulture, which will see increased patrols in areas identified as hotspots for retail crime and an increase in officer visibility in these locations.

Officers will be patrolling in three locations during March, including Prestons’ St George's Shopping Centre on Wednesday, March 13, Burnley Town Centre on Thursday, March 21, and in Lancaster town centre on Tuesday, March 26, where they will be offering crime prevention advice alongside The Lancashire Partnership Against Crime (LANPAC) and other partner organisations.

During these patrols, officers will be creating and building on partnerships with retailers to better share intelligence, get a deeper understanding of retail crime and identify more offenders.

This type of work has already been carried out by Lancashire Police for many years and officers have created strong relationships with local businesses to help reduce retail crime in their stores.

Home Bargains in Blackpool had been one store targeted by offenders, this was until they received additional support from their local officers.

Officers met with the managers and staff of the store to provide specific crime prevention advice, alongside having plain clothed operations undertaken in store and uniformed officers patrolling the area often.

Since this, they have seen a reduction in crime and have even dropped out of the top 29 locations for theft across the county.

The Home Bargains store manager said: “Big thanks to Blackpool's undercover police for keeping our shopping haven secure.

“Your stealthy efforts make our store a safer place to work, and we're grateful for your commitment to deterring those who would disrupt the peace.”

Assistance Chief Constable Karen Edwards said: “In Lancashire we are lucky to have a wide array of retail stores from large, national companies to our independent stores.

"Any form of retail crime against these businesses is unwelcome in our county.

“As a part of our activity to reduce these crimes we are launching Operation Vulture.

“Operation Vulture will target all offenders committing crimes against retail premises. In particular, we will take robust action against those offenders using violence or threatening behaviour against retail workers, with additional focus placed on repeat offenders.

"As a force, we do understand that there are instances where vulnerable people commit offences due to difficult economic circumstances and, on these occasions, we will deal with the offender but will also refer them to partner organisations who can offer them further support.

“The operation will create and strengthen the relationships we have with our local shops and retail stores to improve the way retailers are able to share information with us, to better understand the tactics used by retail crime gangs and identify more offenders.”

Al Yusuf, LANPAC manager, added: “The Lancashire Partnership Against Crime (LANPAC) is looking forward to supporting the introduction of Operation Vulture in Lancashire.

“LANPAC is a unique collaboration between Lancashire Constabulary, Lancashire businesses and public services working together to reduce levels of crime and disorder across the county.

“Operation Vulture will complement the work of LANPAC and further develop the partnership between businesses and police that will radically improve the way retailers are able to share intelligence with policing, to better understand the tactics used by organised retail crime gangs and identify more offenders.”

Police and crime commissioner, Andrew Snowden, is also supporting this operation, and said: “Retail crime puts the livelihoods of traders at risk, and I want Lancashire's business owners to know I am on their side.

“I am driving forward change with the launch of Operation Vulture, a proactive response to concerns raised with my office, and with officers about the unacceptable rise in shoplifting.

"It is absolutely right that we focus on enforcement, but there is much more to do to stop it happening in the first place.

"This includes tackling the underlying problems of addiction and abuse, which sadly can lead to offending.

"That’s why we’re taking action and bringing together policing and business to commit to smarter, more joined up working when it comes to retail crime, which will help to drive down criminal behaviour and rebuild public confidence in the police response when it does occur.

"My Fighting Crime Plan is clear about the need to address the scourge of shoplifting, fraud, shopworker abuse and other offences, with launching Operation Vulture the next step in the fight against retail crime."