Shoplifting ‘epidemic’ leaves staff ‘dreading’ shifts over Christmas
Retail staff are facing a shoplifting epidemic this Christmas, with more than 800 offences going unsolved everyday, grim research shows
Retail staff are facing a shoplifting epidemic this Christmas, with more than 800 offences going unsolved everyday, grim research shows.
In the year 2024-25, some 295,589 shoplifting offence cases were closed without a suspect being identified – equivalent to a record average of 810 cases a day.
It is a staggering 65% rise from the 178,906 shoplifting offences that went unsolved in 2019-20, analysis by the Liberal Democrats shows.
This year, fewer than one in five (19%) shoplifting cases led to a suspect being charged or summoned, while over half of cases (55%) were closed without a suspect being identified.
The Government has vowed to tackle shoplifting by bulking up neighbourhood policing teams and tearing up Tory legislation which means thefts under £200 are less likely to result in prosecution.
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But the Lib Dems have urged for further action, including a mass CCTV rollout. The party wants small independent convenience stores to be able to access grants and loans up to £6,500 to install modern CCTV in order to prevent shoplifting and make our high streets safer.
Lib Dem trade spokesman Josh Reynolds, who is a former retail worker, called for urgent action amid thousands of staff “dreading” going to work over the festive period.
He said: “This Christmas, thousands of dedicated shop staff will be left in fear, dreading their shifts as a result of facing potential abuse or even violence from thieves.
“As a result of so many shoplifting cases being left unsolved, staff are being forced to intervene, even putting themselves in danger to protect their businesses.
“So many small businesses put their blood, sweat and tears into their products, only to have them taken away by this careless crime. The Government must do everything in their power to protect them and heed our calls for a mass CCTV rollout.”
The party’s business spokeswoman Sarah Olney added: “The shoplifting epidemic is a profound threat to our local businesses, our high streets and our economy.
“With over 800 offences going unpunished every single day, businesses are haemorrhaging money, driving up costs for consumers and even forcing businesses to shut their doors for good.”
A Home Office spokeswoman said: “Shoplifting is completely unacceptable and is blighting our high streets. We have launched our Winter of Action, building on the success of the summer initiative which took place in almost 650 town centres. This resulted in more than 16,000 arrests and fines, mostly for shop theft and anti-social behaviour.
“We are strengthening the connections between the police and local communities. Our Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee will see 3,000 additional officers on the beat by Spring next year.”
