Police are tackling shoplifting and targeting the worst offenders to reduce incidents in Worthing, Sussex, following concerns raised in communities.
In 2024 Sussex Police pioneered the use of One Touch Reporting, a scheme focussed in the Adur and Worthing area allowing staff to immediately report offences at the touch of a button.
The aim was to encourage an increase in reporting of shoplifting offences by making it easier for retailers to report incidents directly to the force.
It said shoplifting was previously an under-reported issue, and that the One Touch Reporting Scheme has led to an expected and significant increase in the total number of stop theft reports. Incidents are now recorded more accurately and officers are able to target police resources more effectively, while working with businesses to identify the most prolific offenders.
Through Operation Apprentice, officers have completed targeted patrols and identified the most prolific offenders, which has led to a significant drop in shoplifting in Worthing as well as more arrests and convictions.
The most recent data shows police quadrupled the rate of shop thefts being solved last year, compared to 2022, and figures also show that the total number of shoplifting offences has declined by 8% in the past 12 months, compared to the same period a year earlier.
Most recently, three shoplifters in West Sussex have been dealt with in court. Among them was Fardin Farji, 32, of no fixed address, who admitted eight thefts at stores in Worthing and Shoreham through March and April this year. In particular, he targeted the Co-op store in Goring Road.
At Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 16 April, the offender was jailed for six weeks and a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) was imposed, which prohibits his entry into retail premises in West Sussex.
Daniel Mansfield, 41, of Ivy Arch Road, Worthing, was convicted of 14 shop theft offences and eight breaches of a CBO for thefts committed between August last year and March 2026.
In particular, he targeted Morrison’s stores in Newland Street and Broadwater Road, both in Worthing.
At Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 26 March, Mansfield admitted the offences and a 12-week suspended prison sentence was imposed, along with a further surcharge and requirement to complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement sessions.
Another prolific offender was TJ Nelms, 24, of no fixed address, who targeted Morrison’s in Hawthorn Road in Littlehampton and the Co-op in Goring Road, Worthing, between January and March this year.
He admitted six shop thefts and two counts of failing to comply with a Community Protection Notice when he appeared before Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 20 March. Nelms was jailed for 16 weeks.
Adur & Worthing District Commander Chief Inspector, James Davidson (right), said: “We understand the significant impact retail crime has on our communities and shopworkers, and tackling shoplifting is a priority for us.
“These convictions demonstrate our ongoing commitment to prosecuting the worst offenders and securing convictions where we have the evidence to do so.
“Reports of shoplifting in Worthing increased significantly following the introduction of a unique pilot scheme to make reporting as easy as possible.
”The One Touch Reporting scheme makes it easier and more efficient for shop staff to report crime.”
“The One Touch Reporting scheme makes it easier and more efficient for shop staff to report crime, ensuring that crimes are recorded accurately and our resources are targeted more effectively.
“The information and intelligence gained has fed into a proactive policing approach, alongside our partners, leading to a significant fall in the number of incidents over the last year.
“Visible policing and community reassurance remains central to our approach to tackling shop theft. We work with businesses and partners to promote and increase reporting, and to encourage crime prevention measures.
“Meanwhile, through Operation Apprentice, we target prolific offenders, and we continue to take robust action through both civil and criminal measures to reduce the harm caused to communities, arrest more offenders, solve more crimes and secure more court convictions.”
Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne (left), added: “A rise in the number of reports of shop theft in Worthing shows businesses finally have the confidence to report because they know officers will respond and the results are positive.
“Policing relies on accurate intelligence and reporting of crime to deploy resources effectively and identify offenders. Without that information, shoplifters will go unchallenged and our high streets will suffer. That’s why I’ve worked tirelessly with businesses and our crime reduction partnerships to encourage people to report every incident of shop theft, abuse and assault on staff.
“However, with more incidents now being reported, we often see Sussex cited as having some of the highest volume of shoplifting offences per head of population.
“Our Business Crime Team has worked with Reduction Partnerships and retailers to give officers a better understanding of the impact of shoplifting.”
“The reality is that increasing reporting has enabled Sussex Police to take robust action. As reporting figures have risen, our dedicated Business Crime Team has worked with Business Crime Reduction Partnerships and retailers to give officers a better understanding of the impact of shoplifting. As a result, we’re now seeing more crimes being solved and more offenders brought to justice.
“When examining recorded shoplifting offences in Worthing town centre using data published on Sussex Police’s website, the average fell to 28 offences per month between March 2025 and February 2026, compared with 47 a month during the same period in 2024–25. This represents a significant and sustained reduction in shop theft.
“As of September 2025, Worthing’s overall recorded crime had fallen to 1,856 incidents, alongside a 5% reduction in shoplifting offences across Sussex as a whole. This is clear evidence that our approach is delivering results.
“Sussex is also at the forefront nationally through its participation in the unique One Touch Reporting scheme in Co op stores, launched in 2024. Worthing is now one of the highest performing One Touch areas, with retail staff confident that crimes are being reported quickly and efficiently and that officers are responding effectively.
“Every shop theft is a crime that matters and every offence should be reported to the police.”
“I also want to be clear that there is no £200 minimum threshold for reporting shoplifting. The Crime & Policing Bill 2025 removed the outdated distinction that treated offences under £200 as ‘low value’. Every shop theft is a crime that matters and every offence should be reported to the police.
“Compared with many other force areas nationally, Sussex is leading by example - prioritising strong partnerships with retailers, using innovative reporting methods and taking a firm, consistent approach to tackling both opportunistic shoplifting and organised retail crime. This is how we ensure Sussex remains a safe place to live, work and do business.”
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