Shoplifting offences in England, Wales exceed half a million

Shoplifting offences in England and Wales have surpassed half a million for the first time, reaching a record 516,971 cases in 2024—a 20% increase from the previous year, according to the Office for National Statistics. This surge is the highest since modern police recording began in 2003 and has been accompanied by a 22% rise in theft from the person offences. Retailers are expressing growing concern, investing in enhanced security measures, while government officials attribute the spike to the lasting impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and previous policing policies. The Labour Government has pledged to address the issue by increasing neighborhood policing and reversing what they describe as a decline in charge rates under the previous administration. Despite a slight improvement in the proportion of shoplifting cases resulting in charges, a majority of investigations still close with no suspect identified. Officials and analysts point to a broader pattern of rising theft and persistent challenges in law enforcement response.