Shoplifting in the UK has reached unprecedented levels, with police forces recording more than 1.2 million cases since April 2019, according to data obtained by Personal Injury Claims UK.
This increase is particularly evident in 2023, when 344,709 offenses were recorded – a 30% increase on the previous year – a new 20-year high in England and Wales.
The cost of living crisis is cited as an important factor driving this increase, as economic pressures lead to higher rates of theft across the country. Retailers such as Co-op and John Lewis have reported record incidents of theft, often accompanied by abuse and violence towards staff. These crimes have caused financial losses, with losses from theft doubling to £1.8 billion this year, and £1.2 billion was spent on security measures, compared to £950 million last year.
Despite the rise in crime, prosecution rates remain low. Retail leaders have accused the government of treating shoplifting as a low-priority crime, with a significant gap between reported incidents and legal consequences. The Times found that in many cases, police stopped pursuing charges, emboldening the perpetrators. The Metropolitan Police Service recorded the most cases of shoplifting among UK forces, with more than 215,000 crimes since 2019.
The spike in retail crime has put pressure on employees, who face an increased risk of injury during confrontations with shoplifters.
While retailers are investing heavily in anti-theft measures, questions remain about whether the government and law enforcement agencies will address the underlying issues contributing to this rise in shoplifting.
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