Surge in UK Shoplifting and First-Party Fraud

A serial shoplifter, Cristina Curt, has been jailed for 18 months after stealing approximately £48,000 worth of goods from Tesco stores across the UK, primarily targeting cosmetics and healthcare items. Meanwhile, shopkeepers in Surrey report a rise in thefts by 'well-off middle-aged women,' attributed to a lack of police presence rather than the cost of living crisis. Business owners in Haslemere have formed a vigilante WhatsApp group to share information and CCTV footage of repeat offenders, highlighting the community's proactive stance against shoplifting. Nationally, Nottinghamshire has become the new hotspot for shoplifting in the UK, surpassing Cleveland, with a significant increase in burglaries at independent retailers. Additionally, a survey indicates a rise in first-party fraud among affluent Gen Z and Millennials, who often dispute legitimate transactions with online merchants, viewing it as consumer advocacy.