Shop theft figures shoot up to record-breaking levels

Shoplifting offences rose by 20% to hit a record 530,643 in the 12 months to March 2025, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics. These were the highest levels reported since records began in 2003.

These have been supported by data from other providers, including those from the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) Crime Report, which found that c-stores recorded more than 6.2 million incidents of store theft in the last 12 months.

In the same period, the ACS report found that nearly 60% of retailers believe that organised crime has increased in the period.

There are also issues with crime reporting, with just 36% of offences being reported to the police by retailers in the period – far below the increase in incidents of theft.

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “These record-breaking shop theft figures continue to demonstrate the need for retail crime to be taken seriously throughout the justice system, as 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.

“While there is still a huge gap between the recorded figures and the reality of the number of thefts taking place, the one positive to take from these numbers is that more crimes are being reported, although this is still far too low. We encourage retailers to report every crime that is committed against their business.”

British Retail Consortium director of business & regulation Tom Ironside said: “The ONS figures prove what retailers have long been telling us – that retail theft is spiralling out of control. Sadly, such theft is not a victimless crime; it pushes up the cost for honest shoppers and damages the customer experience for everyone.

Retail theft costs retailers, and their customers, over £2.2bn a year and are a major trigger for violence and abuse against staff. 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.

“These stats come as the UK experiences record levels of retail crime with incidents of violence and abuse climbing to over 2,000 per day. These incidents are not restricted to those working in stores: 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.

“Following our representations, the government is taking action to address retail crime through the new Crime and Policing Bill. Retailers hope this will play a vital role in protecting retail workers from harm and tackling the surge in theft. It will remove the £200 threshold for ‘low level’ theft, which will send a clear signal that all shoplifting is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

“The Bill will also introduce a standalone offence for assaulting a retail worker, which will increase sentencing and improve the visibility of violence against staff so that police can allocate appropriate resources to the challenge. This Bill needs to go further and protect all retail staff working in customer-facing roles, including delivery drivers, just as the Workers Protection Act does in Scotland.”

The Crime and Policing Bill is due to be introduced into law later this year, which will include a standalone offence for assaulting shopworkers, around other measures.