Police Shop Watch scheme delivers 65 per cent reduction in shoplifting offences

Police Shop Watch scheme delivers 65 per cent reduction in shoplifting offences

A Doncaster neighbourhood policing team's town-wide Shop Watch scheme is continuing to help drive a reduction in shoplifting incidents with a 65 per cent decrease in the number of recorded offences.

In September 2024, Doncaster East Neighbourhood Policing Team launched the scheme in Thorne to tackle retail crime and share intelligence and information among businesses in the town.

Since its introduction, the initiative has developed in size and stature, with over 20 retailers currently signed up to it.

A recent push on increasing membership of the group has resulted in a 65 per cent reduction in the number of shoplifting offences recorded in Thorne & Moorends, with three offences recorded in July 2026.

The Thorne Shop Watch scheme has strengthened neighbourhood officers' relationships with retailers and created a direct line of communication between the NPT and local businesses.

The sharing of information has resulted in prolific offenders being targeted, arrested and brought before the courts, including Josh Lyne, who is currently serving a 10-month prison sentence for shop thefts and breaching a criminal behaviour order (CBO).

Lyne, 25, of no fixed abode, was jailed in June 2026, with his CBO in place until June 2027, meaning it will still be in force upon his release from prison.

The order, which was sought by Doncaster East NPT officers as part of their investigation into Lyne's prolific offending, forbids him from asking any person in South Yorkshire for money or displaying a container suggesting he is asking for money.

Lyne's mother, Rebecca Lyne, 45, of Kenyon Close, was also given a 12-week prison sentence at Hull Magistrates' Court in February for a theft committed at Aldi in Thorne.

Doncaster East NPT Inspector Alison Carr said:

"It's been really encouraging to see so many retailers in Thorne embrace our Shop Watch scheme and we've been able to secure CBOs against a lot of persistent offenders.

"The information and intelligence provided by businesses acts as evidence to help us build robust cases which we present to the courts as reasoning for why some offenders should be given CBOs.

"That is testament to the power of the Shop Watch scheme and the trust officers within the NPT have formed with businesses in Thorne and I'm delighted to see the positive impact it is having.

"Shoplifting creates a climate of fear, distrust and aggression and we don't want to see that in Thorne and the surrounding areas.

"No one deserves to go to work to be abused or deal with shoplifters and we recognise the impact it has on our communities.

"If you're planning to do it in Thorne, just know that we have a huge network of businesses ready to help ensure justice is delivered and you are brought before the courts to face the consequences of your actions."

How to sign up to Thorne Shop Watch and how to report retail crime

Any business that joins Thorne Shop Watch signs up to an information sharing agreement and will receive tailored messages and warnings, including photos of known shoplifters and people of interest.

They will be able to join a closed WhatsApp group which allows rapid and immediate sharing of information and will also be given a poster showing they are part of the scheme which they can display in their shop windows.

If you want to sign up to Thorne Shop Watch or want more information about the scheme, please email DoncasterEastNPT@southyorkshire.police.uk.