Shoplifting surges 30pc in England

LONDON, July 25 (Reuters): Shoplifting offences in England and Wales increased 30 per cent in the year ending March 2024 to the highest level in 20 years, official data showed on Wednesday.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said there were 443,995 shoplifting offences recorded by the police over the year, up from 342,428 in the year to March 2023.

Retailers say the true picture is much worse as thousands of shoplifting incidents, often in smaller stores, are not reported to the police because owners do not think the force will either respond or prosecute offenders.