Surge in Shoplifting in England and Wales
Surge in Shoplifting in England and Wales
Shoplifting in England and Wales has increased by 30% in the year ending March 2024. It has reached the highest level in two decades. There were 443,995 reported incidents which is a massive increase from 342,428 the previous year. This dramatic increase has raised serious concerns among both retailers and the public.
Retailers argue that the true extent of the problem is likely much worse. Many shoplifting incidents especially in smaller stores go unreported sometimes. As a result the actual number of thefts could be even higher than reported figures suggest. High profile retailers including Tesco and John Lewis have highlighted not only the rise in theft but also the accompanying violence against their staff. The British Retail Consortium estimates that theft costs the industry nearly £1 billion each year.
The rise in shoplifting has drawn strong reactions from various groups. The trade union Usdaw has expressed profound concern. They have described the increase in theft as an epidemic of retail crime. The union is especially worried about the safety of shop workers who are often on the front lines of these crimes.
In response to the growing issue the Labour government has proposed a new measure to address the problem more effectively. They are considering introducing a standalone offence specifically for assaulting shop workers. This move aims to provide better protection for employees and help handle the rising trend of violence and theft in retail settings.
