Official statistics have unveiled a concerning trend in the UK, with shoplifting reaching an all-time high. Over the past year, shoplifting incidents have surged by 25%, resulting in a staggering 1,000 cases daily, as reported by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
In the 12 months leading up to June, there were 365,164 reported shoplifting offenses, marking a significant 24.6% increase compared to the previous year. This surge surpasses the 24.4% jump observed in the post-Covid period of 2021-22.
What’s even more alarming is the sharp decline in detection rates, plummeting to a historic low of just 18.2%. This represents less than half of the 46% rate recorded when these records began in 2016.
In parallel, the proportion of shoplifters facing charges has also taken a significant dip, falling from 29.7% to a mere 14% in the same timeframe.
Retailers are feeling the financial impact of this shoplifting surge, prompting them to introduce a 6p surcharge on every store transaction. This measure aims to offset the £1 billion lost each year due to theft, coupled with the additional £700 million they are forced to spend on enhancing security measures.
These statistics set the stage for the government and police chiefs to unveil forthcoming plans, with a commitment to investigate every shoplifting case where a «reasonable» line of inquiry exists. Addressing this concerning trend is now a top priority.
