Retail theft in Richmond has doubled compared to last year.
There were 180 reported shoplifting incidents in April alone, according to a community safety report from the Richmond RCMP.
The most frequently stolen items were clothing and accessories.
While this is a one-per-cent decrease from March, it is more than double the number of incidents reported in April 2023 and is above the average range for Richmond.
Property and violent crime rates in Richmond, however, were below the Lower Mainland average in April.
On March 9 and 21, Richmond RCMP conducted a "boost and bust" operation, which resulted in 19 arrests and the recovery of more than $7,000 in stolen items.
The operations were part of the RCMP property crime unit's efforts to combat ongoing retail theft.
Shoplifting is only one of several types of crime that has contributed to Richmond's increasing property crime rate, reads the report.
Between April 11 and 15, there were 12 reports of stolen mail from single-family residences.
Police found the incidents were connected and increased patrols, ultimately resulting in two suspects being identified and arrested.
Five robberies were also reported in April, which is two fewer incidents from March, but an increase of three from last year.
Of the five incidents, two robberies involved a knife. In one incident, a suspect was found and arrested after they fled the scene.
Furthermore, there have been more than 30 property break-and-enters, 24 at residences and 14 at businesses.
Residential break-ins were up four per cent from March and up 26 per cent from April 2023.
Meanwhile, businesses saw a 48-per-cent decrease from March and a 26-per-cent decrease from last April.
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