The number of shoplifting offences leading to a prosecution has fallen in parts of the South East over the last five years, despite a rise in recorded crimes.

Provisional Crown Prosecution Service numbers show offences leading to a court appearance fell in Surrey and Sussex between 2019 and 2023.

The number of offences leading to a first court appearance in Surrey fell by 70% and dropped by 2%, in Sussex.

Meanwhile data from the Office for National Statistics showed that shoplifting offences increased by a third.