In 2023, police-recorded shoplifting offences in England and Wales reached a two-decade high, with a 37% increase from the previous year, totalling 430,104 incidents. This surge in shoplifting was accompanied by rises in other forms of theft, including theft from the person and robbery, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The increase in theft from the person reached its highest level since 2004. Robberies also saw a 13% increase compared to the previous year, although they are still lower than figures from 2003. Furthermore, crimes involving knives or sharp instruments rose by 7%, while offences involving the possession of an article with a blade or point saw a slight uptick.

Despite these increases in particular categories, the overall number of crimes recorded by the police in England and Wales in 2023 was relatively stable, at approximately 6.7 million. Notably, the ONS’s Crime Survey for England and Wales suggested a decline in the total number of incidents experienced by individuals aged 16 and over, particularly in fraud cases, although there was an increase in computer misuse incidents, particularly unauthorised access to personal information.

This rising trend in shoplifting and associated crimes has caused significant concern among major retailers, with the Co-op reporting a 44% rise in retail crime incidents at their stores. This has prompted a joint effort by various retailers to fund police operations specifically targeting shoplifting.

The Labour party has criticized the government’s response to these issues, with Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper condemning the impact of increased shoplifting and associated violence on communities and the justice system. The situation has catalyzed calls for collaborative efforts between authorities, retailers, and policymakers to develop effective strategies to address these trends in criminal activity.