Retail crime up by 27% in this popular Yorkshire coast town

​Scarborough businesses have recently seen a sharp rise in retail crime despite a reduction of 11 per cent across North Yorkshire, leading coastal councillors to question what action is being taken to tackle the surge.

​York and North Yorkshire’s deputy mayor for policing and crime, Jo Coles, said that North Yorkshire Police was taking retail crime “really seriously”.

Jo Coles, York & North Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime.

​Speaking at a recent meeting of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire, and Crime Panel, Cllr Janet Jefferson said: “While there appears to be a positive reduction in recorded retail crime in the force area of around 11 per cent in the last year, retail crime continues to be problematic in areas such as Scarborough.”

​The representative for Castle Ward added: “With a reported increase of around 27 per cent in the same period, is the deputy mayor satisfied that the best approach is being taken to tackle this problem across the coast? We do have a 24/7 radio link with about 80 members throughout the town covering businesses.”

​Deputy mayor, Ms Coles said: “The mayor and I have been absolute champions of the need to do more around retail crime across York and North Yorkshire – it is a huge problem.

​“We had the inspection report that was recently published, and a drop of 11 per cent in retail crime across North Yorkshire is not to be underestimated in terms of an achievement for the force.”

​Ms Coles said North Yorkshire Police was taking retail crime “really seriously” and that there had been “two retail crime symposiums really bringing partners together to ensure everyone is doing everything they can”.

​She added: “I’m very aware that the reduction is an incredible achievement but it isn’t being felt in every part of the county and that we replicate good practice wherever possible. It is something that is a partnership response, and the criminal justice element is also really important and the tools that are available to police once someone is arrested, and it’s something we’re looking at.

​“The mayor and I are continuing to hold NYP closely to account on retail crime.”

North Yorkshire Police, Fire And Crime Panel, July 2026. NYC

​In July, North Yorkshire Police said that “with the summer months, there comes an increase in retail crime, street crime and anti-social behaviour across Scarborough – this includes more shop thefts, street-drinkers, and generalised anti-social behaviour”.

​In order to tackle the seasonal increase, NYP has launched Operation Sun to “combat the increase of crime and anti-social behaviour in Scarborough”.

​The force added: “We have increased high-visibility foot patrols in the town centre and key areas of Scarborough, to proactively deter and prevent crime and anti-social behaviour. The patrols will also act to arrest and pursue criminality on our streets.”