MEP calls for retail crime strategy with shoplifting surging in Cork

The Government vowed to adopt a new strategy that would include "targeted actions" to reduce retail crime and support affected businesses

In the West Cork garda division, shoplifting rose from 88 incidents in 2003 to 144 recorded incidents in 2024 — an increase of 64%. Picture: iStock

Shoplifting has surged in the country's second largest city, with the number of reported incidents rising by 86% in two decades, sparking calls for the publication of a new retail crime strategy.

Figures have revealed the number of recorded incidents of shoplifting in Cork City has soared from 1,440 in 2003 to 2,682 incidents last year.