A SHOPLIFTING crackdown has been launched after it was revealed incidents in Blackburn have risen sharply.

Police said that shoplifting was now 10 per cent of all crime in the town.

The most frequent offenders were men aged 21 to 25 and from 31 to 40. The most common age for woman was between 26 and 30.

Insp Abid Khan warned people of the consequences.

He said his analysis of recent trends showed that women have been stealing clothing and cosmetics while male shoplifters often target grocery items, with the average value of a haul of stolen items being less than £30.

The rise has been blamed on high unemployment, economic problems and also recent improvements to the town centre including an increase in shops as part of The Mall shopping centre expansion.

Insp Khan said: “What people need to be mindful of is that if they are given a fine for a shoplifting offence it doesn’t mean that they have got away with it because they will have a criminal record.

“Is the £30 of shoplifting worth getting a criminal record for?

“Shoplifting is a crime and the town centre neighbourhood policing team is cracking down hard on it with a good degree of success.”

He said officers would be stepping up patrols in hotspot areas in Blackburn town centre and at retail parks.

In the last 12 months there were 1,199 incidents, compared to 962 the previous year, representing an increase of 24.6 per cent.

The incidents resulted in 858 convictions and 590 (68 per cent) of the thieves were men.

There have already been 56 incidents of shoplifting so far this month.

Coun Dave Harling said: “It is a disturbing reflection on how local people are faring in the current economic climate.

“Unemployment is rising everywhere and the Government is putting a lot of pressure on benefits.

“I am not making excuses but I can understand why it is happening.

“The solution isn’t about punishment it is about taking away the need for people to do it.”

Shopkeepers said it was becoming a ‘major issue’, with around 100 incidents being committed every month.

Phil Ainsworth, of Blackburn town centre partnership and owner of A Ainsworth and Sons jewellers, Darwen Street, said: “Unfortunately this is a sign of the times. All retailers and in shops have to be vigilant.

“It is an added costs to shops. For example they have to increase security, increase security measures and insurance costs go up. It is not a victimless crime. It effects everyone.”

Tony Duckworth, president of the Blackburn Chamber of Trade, said: “It’s very depressing to hear the statistics, and shoplifters need to know that it has a very direct affect on businesses.

“It can lead to some small businesses losing out and having to close, and it can lead to higher costs for everyone.”

Shear Brow councillor Hanif Khonat said: “When you look at it you see the same people committing these offences.

“They just get probation and a few weeks later they are doing it again.

“There should be harsher penalties and longer custodial sentences.”