Prolific shoplifters behind more than 28,000 offences, BBC finds
Summary
Police data in England show that a small group of 270 people were linked to over 28,000 shoplifting crimes from 2020 to 2026. Shoplifting is causing big problems for businesses and workers, with many cases going unsolved, and the government is looking for new ways to stop these repeated offenders.Key Facts
- 270 suspects were linked to 28,415 shoplifting crimes recorded by 27 police forces in England from 2020-21 to 2025-26.
- On average, each suspect committed 105 shoplifting offences that were officially recorded.
- One suspect in Sussex was connected to 247 shopliftings, or about one every 10 days.
- Police recorded 502,011 shoplifting offences across England and Wales in 2025-26.
- More than half of shoplifting investigations closed without identifying a suspect.
- The government plans to use prison, drug treatment, technology, and court orders to reduce shoplifting.
- Assault on retail workers became a specific crime in England and Wales in 2026, with possible prison time and fines.
- Retailers say shoplifters often threaten or attack staff, leading some stores to identify suspects to help with arrests.
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