A COUNTY-wide Essex police operation that saw 52 people on suspicion of shoplifting in the last fortnight included eight arrests in Basildon.

Across the region, drug addiction has been linked with many of the arrests, 31 people have subsequently been charged with theft offences and other related matters.

Many of the thefts took place between 18 and 31 December. Sergeant Christian Denning, of the Essex Police specialist Business Crime Team, says he knows the new year can be a stressful time for those who have stretched their finances during the festive season.

"If you do find yourself in difficult circumstances and are considering stealing from a shop, I ask you, please, don't cross the threshold into offending. You could get yourself into a predicament which will only make things worse.

"There are food banks and other fantastic organisations and charities across our county which can help you.

"I'd also ask people to keep an eye on friends and neighbours who may be struggling and to help them out if you can. Look out for one another – it's what society is built on."

Sgt Denning says business crime officers review every shoplifting arrest and, where it is believed a criminal behaviour order would be justified to help to protect retailers from repeated abuse and stealing, they work with local investigating officers to apply to the courts for them.

"Criminal behaviour orders can also include conditions intended to get offenders the support they need to change their behaviour and remove their need to commit crime," he explains.

"This includes requirements for offenders to engage in treatment services, such as drug and alcohol addiction support."

It is an offence to breach the terms of a CBO and courts can impose a maximum sentence of up to five years' imprisonment or a fine, or both, for an adult convicted of breaching them.

Any adult we arrest for acquisitive crimes, such as shop theft, is required to take a saliva test for cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin when they come into custody. And 10 of those arrested for shop theft in the last fortnight tested positive for these Class A drugs.

Sgt Denning says they will also be referred to a specialist drug treatment programme, with one of the three drugs treatment services we work with.

"People often steal to fund their addictions so we want to prevent their need to commit theft in the first place.

"We want to help offenders turn away from drug and alcohol abuse," he explains.

"So, not only do we deal with offenders through the court system, we also refer them to partners who will work with them to address the causes of their offending."

Fourteen people were arrested in the Chelmsford district between Monday 18 December and Sunday 31 December for shop theft and other related offences. Eight were arrested in each of the Basildon, Braintree and Colchester districts; three in Thurrock and three in Harlow; two in each of the Brentwood, Rochford and Southend districts; and one in each of Castle Point and Tendring.

Cases involving 10 people arrested in the past two weeks are still being investigated. Five people were subject to community resolutions while six had no further action taken against them.