Newly released data underscores a growing trend in the number of convicted thieves in Avon and Somerset last year.

For the first time in a decade, 2022 saw a surge in the number of theft-related sentences throughout England and Wales. This has ignited a debate around the escalating number of investigations and their successful conclusions pertaining to minor offences.

According to the latest Ministry of Justice statistics, theft-related sentences in the jurisdiction of Avon and Somerset Constabulary escalated to 837 in 2022 from 822 in the preceding year.

Nationwide, the issuance of theft-related sentences - including shoplifting, blackmail, burglary, and vehicle or bicycle theft – rose to 36,903 last year from 33,912 the year before.

The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) said that this uptick was "anticipated given the recent emphasis on prioritising theft and burglaries."

However, this increase is still substantially lower compared to previous years, marking a steady decline in the count of sentences. A decade ago, there were 126,359 sentences nationwide, of which 3,711 originated from Avon and Somerset.

The PFEW calls for "substantial enhancements" in the criminal justice system.

A representative of the PFEW stressed: "The Government must earnestly recognise and support our police officers, who are grappling with fatigue, overwhelming workloads, insufficient compensation, and are striving to deliver the service they aim to provide despite the rising demands of their roles.

"Although it's appealing to grab quick wins from individual statistics, it doesn't necessarily provide a complete picture. It's vital to evaluate the new data collectively to derive suitable strategies for improving the criminal justice system comprehensively." 2022 also marked the first rise since 2011 in the number of prosecutions and convictions nationwide, recording 42,300 and 36,700 respectively. In 2022, the average sentence length for theft offences was 11.2 weeks, a decline from 12.9 weeks the previous year, while the average fine saw a marginal increase from £122 to £124.

Separately, data from the Home Office shows a rise in reported theft offences in Avon and Somerset, from 34,203 in 2021 to 41,142 last year. A decade ago, in 2012, the number of reported offences stood at 51,535.

A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson emphasised: "Theft can have severe implications for victims, and our focus stays on ensuring offenders face justice whenever our legal criteria are met.

"Our prosecutions are contingent on the cases we receive after an investigation, and we pledge to continue our close collaboration with the police to ensure offenders are brought to justice."