Retail crime in the UK is spiraling, with shoplifters becoming increasingly brazen and violent, according to industry leaders. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has raised concerns that
offenders feel emboldened due to a lack of consequences, leading to a surge in theft incidents.
New figures from the BRC’s annual crime survey reveal that shoplifting incidents rose by 3.7 million in the year leading up to September 2024, reaching a total of 20.4 million. The financial toll on retailers has climbed to £2 billion.
The study, based on data from over 200 major retailers representing 1.1 million employees, also highlights a 50% increase in violence and abuse toward shop workers, with more than 2,000 incidents occurring daily.
Brazen thefts in broad daylight
A growing trend, referred to as "kamikaze" shoplifting, sees offenders openly clearing shelves in front of staff and customers. One such incident took place last month on London’s Oxford Street, where two men spent minutes kicking down a phone display in full view of onlookers before walking out with the damaged stand.
It is suspected the display contained dummy phones that could later be sold to unsuspecting buyers. Despite the culprits being caught on video, the Metropolitan Police were unable to apprehend them immediately, though an investigation is now underway.
Organised gangs and lack of deterrence
BRC Chief Executive Helen Dickinson attributes the rise in shoplifting to organized crime and repeat offenders operating without fear of repercussions.
“They don’t see consequences, and that’s why they’re becoming more daring,” she said. “It’s outrageous and out of control in many parts of the country.”
Social media is awash with videos of thefts occurring in front of security guards and staff, many of whom are advised not to intervene due to the risk of violence.
Shop owners facing violence
Retailer Amit Puntambekar knows firsthand the dangers of confronting shoplifters. He was punched in the face by a young woman suspected of stealing £75 worth of vapes from his Cambridgeshire store earlier this year.
The increase in violent incidents has left him considering whether to close his family business of nearly 40 years.
“I don’t want to die at work,” he said. “When your staff are threatened with a hammer, when someone who lives near your shop threatens to kill you and the police don’t take it seriously—what’s the point?”
Mr. Puntambekar believes lenient laws encourage criminals to act in plain sight. Cambridgeshire Police have since charged a 17-year-old girl with common assault and theft in connection with the attack, with a court appearance scheduled for February 5.
Security staff under attack
The situation has also impacted security personnel. Mitie, a facilities management firm supplying 10,000 security guards to UK retailers, reports that 10% of its guards were injured in the line of duty in 2024.
Jason Towse, Mitie’s security director, says thieves are exploiting a weakened police response.
“The ‘kamikaze’ approach is designed to intimidate staff and discourage intervention,” he explained. “They know the police response isn’t what it used to be.”
Although security guards receive training to handle such situations, they have no additional powers beyond those of ordinary citizens. Their primary role is to deter crime and assist in collecting evidence for law enforcement.
Retailers call for action
In response to the crisis, many major retailers are increasing security measures, including CCTV, body-worn cameras, and additional security staff. Despite these efforts, the crime wave is taking a toll on businesses and consumers alike, with shoplifting adding an estimated £133 per year to the average UK household’s shopping bill, according to The Centre for Retail Research.
To tackle the issue, the UK government introduced a plan in 2023 prioritizing police response to violent incidents and prolific offenders. Photo by Wikimedia commons.