MORE shoplifting offences have been recorded across Teignbridge in 2026 so far than during the whole of last year, with figures showing 547 cases compared with 509 in 2025.

The figures, obtained from Devon and Cornwall Police through a Freedom of Information request, reveal a substantial increase in recorded shoplifting across the district since 2021.

A total of 219 offences were recorded across Teignbridge’s four policing beat areas in 2021.

That figure rose to 424 in 2023 and 509 in 2025, before reaching 547 in 2026 up to September 18.

The latest total represents an increase of around 150 per cent compared with the whole of 2021.

Newton Abbot and its surrounding communities recorded the highest number of offences, with 276 so far this year.

That compares with 285 in the whole of 2025 and 101 in 2021.

The area, known as beat JN, includes Newton Abbot, Kingsteignton, Ipplepen, Kingskerswell and several surrounding communities.

The figures show that the Newton Abbot area accounted for around half of all recorded shoplifting offences across the four beats in 2026.

The policing beat covering Teignmouth, Dawlish and nearby communities also recorded a significant rise.

Known as beat JG, it saw 227 offences in 2026 so far, compared with 197 in 2025 and just 79 in 2021.

The number more than doubled between 2022 and 2023, rising from 70 to 155.

It then increased to 146 in 2024, before climbing again in the following two years.

The figures cover Teignmouth, Dawlish, Dawlish Warren, Bishopsteignton, Shaldon and other nearby communities.

Elsewhere in the district, the beat covering Ashburton, Bovey Tracey, Buckfastleigh and surrounding villages - known as JA - recorded 20 offences in 2026, down from 31 in 2021.

The area covering Chudleigh, Exminster, Hennock, Kenn and Shillingford St George recorded 24 offences so far this year, compared with just seven in 2021.