The latest crime data for Suffolk suggests that the cost-of-living crisis is still hitting people hard – with one expert saying that the situation is as dire as it has ever been.
The Office for National Statistics recently released crime data for the 12 months ending in September 2023, which can be compared with the figures released for the previous year.
For almost every type of crime, there has been a drop. Indeed, the only crimes which have seen a rise were those dubbed ‘miscellaneous crimes’, which rose by 12%, possession of a weapon, which rose by 1%, non-residential burglaries, which rose by 5%, and shoplifting.
Shoplifting saw the biggest increase by a wide margin, growing by 20% in 12 months.
This figure is broken down further into specific areas. East Suffolk saw the biggest rise in shoplifting cases at 43%. The next was Ipswich at 15%, while West Suffolk saw a rise of 13%.
Those who work with people grappling with the rising cost of living feel that this could account for the jump in shoplifting crimes.
“It hasn't eased,” said Major Alan Hill. Major Hill is the leader of the Salvation Army in Woodbridge, which operates a food bank in New Street. “We're still doing 60 to 80 food parcels a week. We expected it to drop after Christmas, but it hasn’t dropped that much.
“If all other crime is going down, then what is the thing that is driving people to shoplift? It’s the fact they need food.”
Meanwhile, Nicky Willshire is the chief officer at Ipswich Citizens’ Advice.
Over the past year Citizens Advice Ipswich has seen increases in food bank applications of just under 50%, four times as many fuel voucher requests and a doubling of clients supported to apply for charitable support from local grant-giving trusts.
The organisation's 2023 performance review also showed for the first time ever that ‘Charitable Support and Food Banks’ was the biggest issue that brought clients to the service.
Like Major Hill, Ms Willshire is unsurprised at the rise in shoplifting figures and feels that they are likely explained by the rising costs of living.
“The cost of living is as dire as it ever has been,” she said. “We are still helping copious numbers of people with food bank referrals and fuel voucher payments and everything else, every day of the week.
“We've got so many people who are running on empty who have basically got negative budgets. You've got families who are working but because interest rates have gone up, every month is more of a struggle.
“The fact that people have given up talking about it has not made it go away.”
Deputy Chief Constable Rob Jones said: “Our analysis does show the majority of knife related, weapon and violent crime is being committed by those known to one another and often those previously known to the police, maybe through drug activity.
“Meanwhile, the shoplifting figure is not something I am surprised at with the cost of living still a big issue and concern for many people.
“However, it is a crime whatever the value of the item stolen and can result in a criminal conviction, which can have a serious impact on someone’s life.
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