Shoplifting reports hit decade high in Warwickshire

Walker believes the use of undercover teams will see that figure improve.

“We have a very proactive team. You won’t see those officers because they are working in plain clothes. They work across the whole of Warwickshire in each different town.”

Warwickshire Police work with the Business Partnership, the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office, probation teams and dependence services to try to get help for prolific shoplifters.

But Walker admits many shoplifters need more support, rather than jail.

“It’s a big cycle, they might go to prison for a certain amount of time, come out and that offending starts, because there is no wrap-around support.

“We’re looking at new approaches where they actually get that support, because we accept as police, we are not just an enforcement arm, but we need to tackle the root cause.”