THOUSANDS of shoplifting incidents have been reported across Flintshire in recent years, figures have shown.

Data obtained by the Leader from North Wales Police under the Freedom of Information Act reveals how many shoplifting incidents have been reported in wards across the county from the beginning of 2017 to date.

Over that time period, a total of 2,892 offences have been reported.

Wards appearing in the top three positions each year were:

  • 2017: Broughton North East (114), Flint Coleshill (104), Holywell Central (90).
  • 2018: Broughton North East (109), Holywell Central (91) Flint Coleshill (86).
  • 2019: Broughton North East (117), Flint Castle (80), Mold East (75).

The number of shoplifting incidents reported across Flintshire so far in 2020 is 474.

Here's how many of those were in each of the affected wards:

  • Broughton North East: 58
  • Flint Coleshill: 45
  • Flint Castle: 41
  • Holywell Central: 41
  • Shotton Higher: 38
  • Shotton West: 31
  • Holywell West: 25
  • Mold East: 22
  • Shotton East: 22
  • Greenfield: 21
  • Connah's Quay Wepre: 18
  • Connah's Quay Golftyn: 15
  • Buckley Bistre East: 14
  • Saltney Mold Junction: 14
  • Sealand: 12
  • Queensferry: 11
  • Connah's Quay Central: 8
  • Mold Broncoed: 8
  • Aston: 6
  • Buckley Mountain: 4
  • Buckley Pentrobin: 4
  • Mold West: 3
  • Whitford: 3
  • Argoed: 2
  • Northop: 2
  • Saltney Stonebridge: 2
  • Caergwrle: 1
  • New Brighton: 1
  • Northop Hall: 1
  • Penyffordd: 1

Chief inspector Siobhan Edwards said: “ We are doing a great deal of work across the area with plans in place to tackle repeat offenders, targeted local patrols, investigating each report and interviewing or arresting identified suspects.

"We also work closely with businesses to see how we can reduce shoplifting incidents.”