Summary
Official records show that shoplifting in England and Wales is now at its highest level since records began over 20 years ago. The rise in shoplifting, including organized crime by gangs, has alarmed retailers and prompted calls for action from the government and retail associations to address the issue.
Key Facts
- There were 530,643 reported shoplifting incidents in the year ending March 2025, a 20% increase from the previous year.
- The Office for National Statistics (ONS) highlighted a sharp rise in shop thefts since the pandemic.
- Retailers report increasing concerns about organized crime, with gangs targeting multiple stores.
- Shoplifting cost retailers and customers an estimated £2.2 billion annually.
- Many shop staff report feeling threatened as shoplifting incidents rise.
- The Association of Convenience Stores reported over 6.2 million shoplifting incidents last year.
- Some retailers are reluctant to report thefts due to a lack of faith in police investigations.
- The government introduced a Crime and Policing Bill to address street theft, including shoplifting.
- The bill proposes removing the £200 threshold for prioritizing shoplifting cases, aiming to signal that all thefts will be taken seriously.
