Police cracked down on Sunderland shoplifting crime hotspot and here's the result
The retail park had received the highest number of shoplifting reports in the Northumbria Police area
A neighbourhood policing operation has cut reports of shoplifting by more than 70 per cent in Roker’s Sunderland Retail Park.
Operation Mansfield was launched following a rise in reports of shoplifting in the Sunderland Retail Park area of Roker across mid-September to mid-December last year (2025), with the area receiving the highest number of shoplifting reports in the Northumbria Police area at that time.
The operation, spanning from Monday, December 15 to Sunday, March 15 aimed to reinforce strong partnership working with Sunderland City Council and take advantage of proactive neighbourhood policing to crackdown on criminality in the area.
Across the 12-week period reports of shoplifting offences fell by a dramatic 72 per cent.
The crackdown included a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) being served to a prolific offender – preventing them from further offending.
Three Community Protection Notices were issued, excluding those who had been dealt them from entering the Sunderland Retail Park area.
A problem address was also identified where it was believed stolen goods were being stored. Police officers worked closely with the landlord in a bid to remove the offending occupant from the property.
Joint days of action played a huge part in addressing community concerns around shoplifting and anti-social behaviour while a dedicated motorbike disorder team – Op Capio – addressed vehicle related issues across the wider area.
Sergeant Kristofer Irving of Sunderland’s Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) said: “We see and hear how much of a negative impact crime such as shoplifting can have on local businesses and their livelihoods.
“That’s why we’re committed to working with partner agencies to tackle the problem head on.
“I welcome the results shown following the efforts of our Neighbourhood Policing Team across the past 12 weeks – their dedication to making Operation Mansfield a success has really paid off.
“I’d ask members of the community and local businesses to continue to work with us by reporting shoplifting and ASB within the area.
“We will continue to be visible and we will take action.”
Anyone with concerns about shoplifting or anti-social behaviour in their area can send Northumbria Police a direct message on social media or via the ‘report’ form on their website.
You can also call 101.