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Wed, 16 Sep 2026

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 Shoplifters carrying shopping lists, says M&S manager

The Marks and Spencer area manager for Shropshire says shoplifting is a "really large issue".

* Shoplifting is a "really large issue" in M&S shops, with some perpetrators using shopping lists and targeting high-value items.
* Regional manager Elisa Lewis says it's difficult to pinpoint typical shoplifters, as they can be anyone from bored housewives to people struggling with addiction.
* Some shoplifters target specific items to sell on the black market, with Cath Harmer from Shrewsbury BID saying that some have even come in with a "shopping list" of high-value items to steal.
* Marks & Spencer has a policy of issuing lifetime bans to repeat offenders, which can be a deterrent and a shock for younger shoplifters.
* A police presence in the town has led to a decrease in shoplifting incidents, with officers working closely with retailers to build relationships and encourage reporting of thefts.
* Figures show that while there was a slight fall in shoplifting offences across England and Wales last year, it remains a significant issue, with thousands of cases still being reported.