Shoplifting is still unacceptably high, say independent retailers

The Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) says that, despite a small reduction in the number of recorded shoplifting offences in England and Wales, the figures are still shocking.

Data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) today (April 23) shows that the number of offences recorded by police decreased by 1% to 509,566 in the year ending December 2025, compared with the previous year’s 516,611.

The Fed’s National President Hetal Patel said: “There is continued evidence that incidents of shoplifting are levelling off, but it clearly remains unacceptably high.

“The drop in the number of recorded offences is obviously a step in the right direction but follows a 20 per cent increase in offences last year, so there clearly is no room for complacency.

“We are glad the government has acted on our lobbying to remove the £200 threshold and introduced the standalone offence of assaulting a shop worker.

“What is perhaps especially heartening is that there has been an increase in the overall charge volumes for shoplifting by 17 per cent and also an increase in charge rates proportionately.

“It is also positive that there has been an apparent shift in resources, with 3,000 officers now being reported as serving in neighbourhood roles.

“We want to work with the government to ensure they are serving on the frontline, not always focused on paperwork, and providing rapid, meaningful support when theft and violence impacts our members.”

Mr Patel said he recognised that retail crime has complex causes – often linked to drugs and deprivation – but the establishment of a new National Police Service to challenge organised crime could be useful.

He added: “We raised these concerns in a meeting with the Police and Crime Minister in December 2025 and we continue our call for the government and opposition parties to pledge support for targeted retail security grants, so our members can deter thieves.

“We look forward to working with the Home Office on this in the months ahead.”