Shoplifting in England and Wales has reached a 20-year high, with a 30% increase in offences recorded in the year to March 2024. Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows 443,995 shoplifting incidents were logged, up from 342,428 the previous year, marking the highest level since records began in 2003.
The ONS described the rise as 'notable'. The figures come amid growing concern from major retailers about the cost of theft. A joint operation between police and 15 retailers, known as Project Pegasus, has identified that as few as 12 criminal gangs are responsible for a quarter of all shoplifting in England and Wales.
The new Labour government has pledged to tackle the issue, announcing measures in the King's Speech to crack down on shoplifting and make assaulting a shop worker a specific criminal offence. This follows a campaign by business owners and Conservative MP Matt Vickers.
Other theft-related crimes also increased, with theft from the person rising 17% to 131,453 offences and robbery up 8% to 81,019. However, robbery remains below pre-pandemic levels. Meghan Elkin of the ONS noted increases in computer misuse and some theft types, while fraud fell.
Retailers hope the new legislation will simplify police investigations and prosecutions. The Mail on Sunday's 'End the Shoplifting Epidemic' campaign has highlighted the issue, including the use of facial recognition software to track prolific offenders.
