Record Surge in UK Retail Crime “`

Retail theft and violence in the UK are surging, reaching crisis levels according to a new industry report.

A British Retail Consortium (BRC) report reveals a sharp increase in retail crime, with record-high theft and escalating violence against staff. Shoplifting has soared to an unprecedented level, exceeding 20 million incidents in the year to August 31st – that’s over 55,000 incidents daily. This cost retailers £2.2 billion in losses, exacerbating existing financial pressures.

Violence and abuse against retail workers also dramatically increased, surpassing 2,000 daily incidents, a significant rise from 1,300 the previous year and more than triple the 455 daily average in 2020. Weapon-related incidents doubled, reaching 70 per day.

“Retail crime is spiralling out of control,” stated BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson. “Retail workers are facing spitting, racial abuse, and machete threats.”

The BRC report points to organized crime as a key factor, with gangs systematically targeting stores and stealing substantial sums.

“Criminals are becoming bolder and more aggressive every day,” Dickinson warned.

Police response to these incidents remains unsatisfactory, with 61% of respondents rating it as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’ in the survey.

“With such low confidence in police response, it’s no surprise criminals feel empowered to steal, threaten, assault, and abuse,” Dickinson argued.

In response, the police claim to have made “significant strides” in tackling retail crime this past year.

The new Labour government has committed to tackling the rise in retail crime with stronger measures.

Recent data from S&P Global reveals a continued decline in UK retail sales in January following a disappointing Christmas, and consumer confidence has fallen to its lowest point since late 2023.

Job cuts in the sector reached their fastest pace since the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, and excluding the pandemic, this is the highest rate since the 2009 financial crisis.

The UK is experiencing a “stagflationary environment,” according to S&P chief business economist Chris Williamson (as quoted by The Guardian), a combination of slow economic growth and high inflation.

Another BRC report this week highlighted the sharpest monthly rise in British food prices since last April, described as an “early sign of what’s ahead” for the economy. Food prices increased by 1.6% year-on-year in January.

Dickinson also warned that retailers will soon face the full impact of £7 billion in new costs from the latest budget introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Reeves announced a benefits system overhaul on Wednesday aimed at “kickstarting economic growth.”