UK shoplifting on the rise and more brazen, new survey says.

Published On Jan 30, 2025, 1:00 AM

Retail crime in the UK, especially shoplifting, is reported to be increasing at alarming levels, with incidents rising by 3.7 million to reach 20.4 million last year. This behavior is becoming more aggressive and brazen as offenders seem to feel there are little to no consequences for their actions. The British Retail Consortium emphasizes the rise in violence against retail staff, linked to increased shoplifting activities, which cost retailers around £2 billion annually. The government's response includes a new scheme aimed at better police responses to retail crime and discussions of new laws to protect retail workers.