Tom Gordon MP: Small businesses “simply cannot afford” for the shoplifting spate to continue as offences jump by over 120% in 5 years

A total of 5,660 cases were recorded last year, up from 2,533 cases in 2020/21, a
shocking increase of 123.45%. Just 23.52% of shoplifting cases recorded by North
Yorkshire police in 2024/25 resulted in a charge.
Tom Gordon MP has said small businesses ‘simply cannot afford for this to continue’
and are calling for a return to community policing with dedicated police counters.
The number of shoplifting cases in Harrogate and Knaresborough has surged in the
past five years, whilst just 23.52% of cases recorded by North Yorkshire police
resulted in a charge, according to House of Commons Library data analysed by the
Liberal Democrats.
Tom Gordon is calling for a return to genuine community policing and has said the
Government should make a ‘Police Counter Promise’, which would guarantee a
staffed police desk in communities across Harrogate and Knaresborough. The
Liberal Democrats say a visible police presence would rebuild public confidence that
local crime was taken seriously.
Shoplifting in Harrogate and Knaresborough has skyrocketed in the past five years,
with 5,660 cases recorded by North Yorkshire police last year, up a staggering
123.45% since 2020/21. While the local force has increased efforts to deter and
convict shoplifters, cases reported to North Yorkshire police just 23.52% resulted in a
charge last year.

The Lib Dems have also raised concerns that shoplifting is particularly hitting small
businesses on our high streets here in Harrogate and Knaresborough who are
already under mounting pressure from rising energy bills, unfair business rates and
extra costs from the Chancellor’s National Insurance Contribution rise. Tom Gordon
has called for a 5p VAT cut for our hospitality businesses and urgent reform of the
business rates system to breathe life back into our high streets.

Tom said:
Our high streets are the lifeblood of Harrogate and Knaresborough, yet local
businesses are struggling with a surge in shoplifting that treats our local shops like
easy targets. Our local force has upped their efforts despite the years of

Conservative cuts to community policing, followed by Labour’s failure to fix the
damage.
“It is unacceptable that the hardworking people in our local stores are being left to
fend for themselves. Our independent businesses are already fighting to survive
rising costs and business rates; they shouldn't have to worry about shoplifting too.
“We need more than just promises, the Liberal Democrats are calling for a return to
real neighbourhood policing, with bobbies on the beat and dedicated police counters
right here in town, so that our fantastic local shoppers and shopkeepers are kept
safe.