Thu, 24 Jul 2025

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 Shoplifting hits record high in England and Wales

Retailers say theft is "spiralling out of control", with an increase in organised crime hitting stores.

* Shoplifting in England and Wales has reached its highest level since records began over two decades ago, with 530,643 reported offences in the year to March.
* This represents a 20% increase on the previous year's figures.
* Retailers say that theft is "spiralling out of control" and that gangs are targeting stores.
* The British Retailers Association estimates that shoplifting costs retailers and customers £2.2bn per year.
* The Association of Convenience Stores reports that convenience stores alone recorded over 6.2 million incidents of shoplifting in the past year.
* The government's Crime and Policing Bill is expected to address the issue, including raising the threshold for summary-only offences from £200.
* Home Secretary Yvette Cooper says the government is working to rebuild local policing and increase presence in town centres.
* Retailers are calling for action to tackle organised crime and ensure that all shoplifting is prioritised by police.
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