Stories

Thu, 16 Apr 2026

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 Rising value of Pokémon cards sparks smash and grab crime spree

Small shops across the UK are being targeted by thieves stealing collectibles worth thousands of pounds.

* A series of smash-and-grab robberies have targeted Pokémon card shops across the UK, with several stores in Warrington, Bristol, Bournemouth, Peterborough, and Nottingham among others being hit.
* The value of Pokémon cards has skyrocketed in recent years, with some rare items selling for hundreds of thousands of pounds at auction.
* Shops such as Celestial Collectibles in Warrington have reported stock worth tens of thousands of pounds stolen, with one store losing around £40,000 worth of graded cards and single packs.
* The police are aware of the issue and have linked up with other forces across the UK to investigate the robberies.
* Some retailers have been affected not just financially but also emotionally, with owners describing the break-ins as "heartbreaking".
* However, there has also been an outpouring of community support, with nearby trading card shops donating stock and children bringing in their own card collections to donate.
* Retailers are now upgrading their security measures to prevent further robberies.