Instances of shoplifting increased by +20% for the year ending in March 2025, according to the latest ONS figures.

Over half a million (530,643) retail theft offences were reported in England and Wales last year, reaching the highest level since current police records began in 2003.

Spiralling out of control

“The ONS figures prove what retailers have long been telling us – that retail theft is spiralling out of control,” said Tom Ironside, Director of Business & Regulation at the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

Separate research by the BRC showed almost 1 in 4 UK shoppers had witnessed an instance of shoplifting in the past 12months, rising to 1 in 3 (32%) in Nottingham and 29% in London. Its data also suggested more consumers had seen physical or verbal abuse of shop workers as criminals become “bolder and more aggressive.”

Ironside added that shoplifting “is not a victimless crime”, saying it pushes up prices for honest shoppers.

“Retail theft costs retailers and their customers over £2.2bn a year and are a major trigger for violence and abuse against staff,” he said. “While the causes are manifold, the rise in organised crime is a significant concern, with gangs hitting store after store, even within a single day.”

Greggs reported rising instances of shoplifting across its 2,600+ UK shops earlier this year, saying some stores were being repeatedly targeted, experiencing theft attempts every 20 minutes.

Crime beyond stores

While often the focus for crime hotspots, stores aren’t the only place where offences and abuse are taking place.

“These incidents are not restricted to those working in stores,” said Ironside. “Delivery drivers are often subjected to abuse, physical violence and threats with weapons. As a result, many are being equipped with protective measures, such as personal safety devices to alert the police of their whereabouts, and DNA spit testing kits.”

Commenting on the ONS figures, James Lowman, Chief Exec of the Association of Convenience Stores said the record-breaking figures “continue to demonstrate the need for retail crime to be taken seriously throughout the justice system. Only then will we be able to start bringing the numbers down and stop widespread reoffending by criminals that are acting with confidence that they will not be apprehended.”

Intelligence sharing to stamp out shoplifting

Earlier this month, leading retailers, including M&S, Boots and Currys, announced they would start to share intelligence about repeat offenders on a shared national database, powered by loss prevention platform, Auror.

Collaborating to stamp out theft, shared images, CCTV footage and personal details of offenders will be logged on the national database. This will be used to ban serial shoplifters from stores to reduce incidents of theft. The data will also allow police to gather greater intelligence about repeat perpetrators for evidence.