Shoplifting has hit record levels since records begun in 2003, as incidents are up by more than one third (37%) than the previous 12 months to December 2022, according to Office of National Statistics (ONS).

The number of shoplifting offences recorded in 2023 was 430,104, while in 2022 the figure clocked in at 315,040.

The data follows the last release of figures from the Crime Survey for England and Wales in October 2023, which showed a 25% increase in theft on the previous year.

Despite the figures breaking records they are still “a fraction of the true picture of shop theft”, according to James Lowman, chief executive of the ACS.

Co-op sees crime rise 44% year-on-year

The ACS Crime Report estimates that convenience retailers have recorded over 5.6m incidents of theft over the last year.

Lowman said: “The vast majority of incidents that take place end up not being reported because of the time taken to report the crime and the lack of follow up from the police. Thieves are stealing on a regular basis without fear of apprehension, so it’s essential that every police force in the country takes theft seriously, not least because challenging thieves is one of the biggest triggers for abuse of shopworkers.“

Ahead of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections in May, ACS has been calling on all PCCs to outline how their local forces are responding to theft, and to make tackling shop theft a priority in their police and crime plans.

The government recently revealed that it is making amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill following repeated calls from the industry. The new plans include assaulting a shopworker to become a criminal offence, alongside tougher punishments for shoplifters including prison time and fines.

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