Fed reacts to falling retail crime stats

The National President of the Fed, Hemanshu Patel (pictured), has reacted with cautious optimism at signs retail crime may be starting to level off.

Commenting, Mr Patel said: “The Fed has consistently highlighted our members’ concerns about the high levels of retail crime and theft affecting independent retailers across the country – today’s figures suggest the situation may be beginning to stabilise, but the problem remains far too serious.

“While there are encouraging signs that retail crime may be levelling off, overall levels remain far too high and significant underreporting means the true scale of the problem is still not fully understood.”

“Retail crime is not a victimless offence. Behind every incident is an independent retailer and their staff who deserve to feel safe at work. No one should fear going to work simply because they are serving their local community.

“I discussed this issue with the Crime and Policing Minister, Sarah Jones MP, at the Home Office when I was Vice President of the Fed last year, and we continue to engage with the Government, Home Office officials, policing partners and others to press for further action.

Commenting on July’s statistics, Ms Jones said: “We are turning the tide on the crimes that blight communities…but we know too many people still worry about crime on their high street. Shop theft has now fallen for a second consecutive period – dropping 4% in the last year. Charges up 19% in the last year and almost one in four shop theft offences now lead to a charge. We have already put more than 3,800 additional officers into neighbourhood roles.”

Mr Patel added: “We continue to call on the Government to do more to support small retailers by making crime easier to report, strengthening neighbourhood policing, giving trading standards and other enforcement agencies the resources they need, and considering a dedicated retail crime grant scheme for independent retailers. We also welcome this week’s announcement that neighbourhood policing numbers have increased by 22.2% since March 2025. It is a positive step, but much more remains to be done before independent retailers feel properly protected.”