Retailers, local authorities and law enforcement are trying to find way to prevent and seek justice for shoplifting offences as they battle to regain control.

Home Office figure show that nearly 43,000 shoplifting offences were reported across Kent, Sussex and Surrey in the year 2025/26 compared to 2019/20 which saw just over 28,000.

Figures also showed that in the same period 14.9% of neighbourhoods in Crawley were in the top fifth of shoplifting rates across England and Wales.

Plans to tackle the issue include tagging prolific shoplifters, facial recognition vans and Shop watch schemes to help deter thieves.