Shoplifting in England and Wales reaches highest level in 20 years

July 25, 2024 TruthUSA

The new government is planning to implement measures to address retail crime, including creating a new specific offense for assaulting a shopworker.

Police in England and Wales have reported a significant increase in shoplifting offenses up to March 2024, reaching a record high.

Earlier this year, shoplifting levels had already hit a 20-year peak, with the latest data showing a new surge.

The overall theft rate rose by 3 percent to 1.8 million offenses, compared to 1.7 million in the previous year. Shoplifting offenses and theft from individuals were the main contributors to this increase.

There were 443,995 incidents of shoplifting reported by police in the March 2024 year, a 30 percent increase from the 342,428 recorded in the prior 12 months.

“Today’s crime figures reveal the poor track record of the Tory government on law and order – with a rise in street crime and shoplifting but a decline in neighborhood police,” stated Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

Cooper promised to deploy neighborhood police officers back in town centers to maintain community safety.

The main crime types overview by ONS indicated that theft offenses ranked second only to fraud.

About 26 percent of wholesale and retail venues reported incidents of customer theft in the past year, representing a significant increase from 20 percent in 2014.

The Association of Convenience Stores (ASC) stated that the official figures depict only a part of the theft levels occurring daily in convenience and retail outlets.

“The majority of criminals targeting retailers are often organized groups stealing to fund other illegal activities or substance abuse. It’s crucial to address theft seriously as it’s a significant trigger for shopworker abuse,” noted ACS CEO James Lowman.

Lowman emphasized the need to tackle theft proactively due to its association with heightened risks for shopworkers.

‘Essential Protection’

Amidst rising shoplifting rates, retailers have long been advocating for the establishment of a separate offense for assaulting shop workers.

The Conservative government reversed its stance on the matter in April, deciding to include the standalone offense provision in the proposed Criminal Justice Bill after facing pressure from MPs and retailers.

The bill was part of the previous government’s legislative agenda but had not been passed by the time of the general election.

Retailers expressed disappointment over the delay and urged the Labour government to deliver the much-needed protection for shop workers through legislation.

“We anticipate the Labour government implementing essential protection for shop workers, removing the unjust £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters, and deploying more uniformed officers to patrol shopping areas along with banning repeat offenders from town centers,” stated Paddy Lillis, general secretary of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers.

In England and Wales, the £200 threshold was introduced in the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, resulting in a maximum sentence of six months for shoplifters stealing goods worth less than £200 who can plead guilty by post.

The Criminal Justice Bill, revealed in the latest King’s Speech, is part of the new government’s efforts to curb anti-social conduct and impose stricter penalties on offenders.

It aims to address retail crime, establish a new offense for assaulting shop workers, and enforce stronger measures against minor shoplifting incidents.

Civil liberties organization Liberty had previously cautioned that many individuals in the UK, including youths, resort to shoplifting to cope with the cost-of-living crisis.

The campaigners urged policymakers to focus on resolving the underlying causes of the crisis instead of cracking down on individuals compelled to shoplift for essential items.

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