3 weeks Ago
Police are "pleased" with the progress made in tackling shoplifting, including the work done by GMP's Bolton shoplifting team. Nearly 900 arrests have been made and more than 700 charges secured for shoplifting offences across Greater Manchester in the first quarter of 2025. The team in Bolton has also been credited with countless arrests and charges, the force say.
In total across Greater Manchester , 893 arrests were made in the three months up until 3 April 2025, with a further 707 charges in that same period. Read more: 'Highly intoxicated' man bent police officer's thumb back Read more: 'Get to grips with shoplifting' as concerns raise in town centre over Christmas Read more: 'Known suspect' charged with three alleged shoplifting offences in Bolton Through partnerships with local stores and partners, officers are continuing to tackle retail crime, through both preventative and proactive work. From a leadership level, every district across the force continues to have a retail crime SPOC (Single Point of Contact), who attends monthly meetings to share best practices with each other.
These meetings are overseen by the force lead for retail crime, Supt Cara Charlesworth, who also assists in feeding knowledge and skills into national groups. Supt Cara Charlesworth (Image: GMP) Supt Cara Charlesworth, force lead for retail crime, said: “Every year we strive to improve our service to our business community across Greater Manchester, I am really pleased with the progress that has been made over the last couple of years and the partnership work that is going from strength to strength. “This year alone, we have secured hundreds of arrests and charges, and at times last year, we were locking up 100 suspects every single week.
This momentum has continued into 2025 with solved rates for retail crime continuing to rise. “We completely understand the frustrations that businesses have when it comes to shoplifters, and I want to reassure them that we stand firmly alongside them. Whether you work in a large multinational supermarket or a local corner shop; we are there for you.
“I would urge any stores with any ongoing issues to get in touch with their local neighbourhood team, as they will be best-placed to help with your queries.”.
