Shoplifting offences rise to highest level since records began: Store thefts jump by more than a THIRD compared to 2022 – with 430,104 offences recorded in last 12 months, figures show [Video]

04:37 EDT 25 Apr 2024, updated 18:46 EDT 25 Apr 2024

Shoplifting has risen to the highest level on record amid complaints the crime has been effectively ‘decriminalised’, new data revealed today. 

A total of 430,104 offences were recorded by police in the year to December 2023, up by more than a third (37%) from 315,040 in the previous 12 months. 

The figure is the highest since current records began in the year to March 2003, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Retail bosses have accused ministers of allowing shoplifting to become effectively decriminalised, with many police forces failing to attend the majority of reports and failing to gather any evidence when they do.

Under 40 per cent of shoplifting reports were attended by the Met between April 2022 and April 2023, recent figures revealed.