Skelton woman 'ashamed' of shoplifting past

Jade Smith from Skelton is currently in a rehab facility for substance abuse and in the past been charged for shoplifting, robbery and fraud.

The BBC's Data unit has found Cleveland, Durham and North Yorkshire police force areas saw over 21,000 shoplifting offences in the financial year 2025-26.

Shoplifting offences in the Cleveland Police area increased by 15% in the last financial year-the biggest percentage increase in the country.

She told Gary Philipson her story.

Cleveland Police said it's committed to tackling the issue and will continue to use all of the tools at their disposal

The Home Office said: "For too long, retail crime has been dismissed as low-level offending. It harms shopworkers, damages businesses and hollows out communities.

"Shop theft is down 4% on last year and charges are up 19%.

We are making it a specific criminal offence to assault a retail worker because no one should go to work fearing for their safety.”