FOURTEEN shoplifters in Thurrock are among those listed in the latest figures released by Essex Police as they attempt to counter thefts from businesses.

Twenty-nine people have been charged with a total of 79 counts of shoplifting in Essex during the past fortnight. Two were also charged with assaulting retail workers.

A total of 53 people were arrested for shop theft in Essex between 17 & 30 June 2024: 14 in Thurrock; 11 in the Colchester district; 10 in Southend; six in each of the Basildon and Chelmsford districts; four in Tendring; and two in Castle Point.

Officers have made 103 arrests for shop theft in the past four weeks. Between 1 January and 30 June 2024, that figure rises to 730.

Sergeant Christian Denning, of our Business Crime Team, says that's an average of 28 arrests a week.

"Officers across Essex continue to focus on offenders who shoplift because they know the distress they cause to local communities.

"And we, as business crime officers, focus our work on advising retailers of the various ways they can protect their business and keep their staff and customers safe and secure.

"You can find plenty of advice and information on our webpages at www.essex.police.uk/businesscrime and you can contact the Business Crime Team direct from them if you can't find what you are looking for.

"As well as the charges against 29 of those we arrested, investigations are ongoing in 16 other cases. One person was cautioned, one person received a community resolution and no further action will be taken against six others."