Significant declines in crime have been observed among frequent shoplifters in the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner’s Operation STOP program, which pairs GPS tagging with customized rehabilitation services, according to an independent assessment.
Launched in East Sussex during summer 2025, Operation STOP is a partnership led by Sussex PCC, Katy Bourne, in collaboration with Sussex Police, East Sussex County Council, the Probation Service, Change Grow Live, and the Co-op.
GPS tagging and tailored support
Findings from the evaluation, conducted by the Centre for Public Innovation, show that tagged offenders committed significantly fewer offenses, with some participants ceasing offending entirely.
Police, retailers, and criminal justice partners also reported clear reductions in repeat offending and positive impacts for local businesses.
Expansion across Sussex
The success of the initial East Sussex pilot, which utilized only 10 GPS tags, led to the scheme’s expansion across Sussex in May 2026. The project now supports up to 30 tags across East Sussex, West Sussex, and Brighton & Hove.
Since the first GPS tag was fitted in September 2025, Operation STOP has demonstrated significant reductions in shop theft among participants.
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To date, 16 CBOs with GPS tagging conditions have been authorized. Six offenders remain tagged, while 12 await court hearings.
Reduced offending and cost savings
Analysis from the independent evaluation found that all eight tagged offenders in the initial study reduced their offending, with five committing no further offenses after tagging.
One prolific offender has remained offense-free since October 2025. Approximately 11 to 13 fewer offenses were committed per person after tagging, representing an overall reduction of around 58%. Participants who reoffended consistently committed fewer offenses post-tagging.
Based on pre- and post-tagging offending rates for the eight offenders, the scheme is projected to prevent approximately 300 offenses in a 12-month period, saving around £100,000 in costs to police and the wider criminal justice system.
For tagged individuals, the scheme offers an opportunity to break free from cycles of crime, often linked to issues like addiction or homelessness. This support can be key in preventing reoffending and enabling life rebuilding.
Partnership and rehabilitation focus
Project partners reported noticeable reductions in offending, describing “a dramatic fall” in offenses, a “pattern of reduction in offending,” and an “undeniable drop in offending,” the PCC noted.
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“As we expand the pilot across Sussex, we continue to learn, gaining insights into who engages effectively, where challenges arise, and how best to provide support.
“We’re working with individuals who often face multiple and complex needs, so there’s no universal solution. Recently, one individual voluntarily requested a GPS tag to prevent others from exploiting them to commit offenses.
The Co-op has been involved in Operation STOP since its inception.
The project has also provided Sussex Police with additional intelligence and investigative opportunities. GPS data has helped identify previously unknown offenses and supported targeted actions against prolific offenders.
The initiative includes a dedicated Business Crime Navigator role, delivered by Change Grow Live and co-funded by Southern Co-op, the Probation Service, and East Sussex County Council.
The Navigator offers personalized support to offenders, helping them access housing, healthcare, substance misuse services, benefits, employment support, and other interventions to address the root causes of repeat offending.
