Shoplifting has become a serious issue, with a record high of almost half a million offences recorded last year. According to new figures, a total of 469,788 shoplifting offences were reported by police forces in the year leading up to June 2024. This number is a significant increase of 29% from the previous year, marking the highest figure since records began in 2003.
The rise in shoplifting incidents has caused concern among retailers, with the sector facing a cost of £1.8 billion due to theft. Shopkeepers in east London have expressed their frustration, stating that they have almost given up on keeping track of the stock they have lost. Thieves are becoming more bold, aggressive, and are even more frequently armed with weapons, making the situation even more dangerous.
The Co-op recently revealed that they suffered a £40 million loss from shoplifting in the first half of the financial year, attributing it to a crime “epidemic.” Managing director of Co-op Food, Matt Hood, highlighted the issue of prolific offenders stealing large volumes of products daily, often to fund their addictions. He emphasized that this is not petty crime and it has serious consequences.
In addition to shoplifting, theft from a person has also seen an increase, with 139,368 incidents reported in the same 12-month period, up 20% from the previous year. This trend has raised concerns among major retailers and the government, leading to discussions about creating a separate criminal offence for assaulting a shop worker.
The British Retail Consortium has called for immediate action to address the rising levels of shoplifting and violence against retail workers. They stress the importance of passing legislation to protect retail workers and send a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated. The government has also pledged to increase police presence, restore neighborhood policing, and eliminate the £200 shoplifting threshold to hold thieves accountable.
The statistics released by the Office for National Statistics highlight the urgent need to address the escalating problem of shoplifting and theft. It is crucial for retailers, law enforcement, and the government to work together to find effective solutions to combat this growing issue and ensure the safety of both retail workers and the public.