NEW FIGURES from the Office for National Statistics show that shoplifting has continued to rise in Thames Valley and the wider south.
Data shows that theft from stores is continuing to become more and more common, following years of worrying trends.
Crime in England and Wales statistics show that in the year to March 2021 (during the pandemic), there were 228,250 police recorded incidents of shoplifting.
The latest statistics show a rise of 127% since then to 519,381 by September last year.
In the year to September 2024, there were 492,914 recorded shoplifting offences, indicating there has been a 5% increase over the last twelve months.
In the South East, this represented an 8% increase in reported shoplifting incidents across the South East.
Thames Valley saw an increase of 7%, compared to a 12% rise in Kent, +11% in Sussex, and +7% in Hamsphire–but a 5% decrease in Surrey.
Retail trade union USDAW has raised further concern over the effect of retail crime on staff; an annual survey of nearly 9,500 respondents in the sector has show that more than three-quarters said they had been the victims of verbal abuse.
Two-thirds said that incidents of violence, threats, or abuse they had experienced were triggered by shop theft or armed robbery.
One in ten had been physically assaulted themselves.
The report comes as the government seeks to increase police powers in its Policing Bill, which seeks to create a standalone offence for assaulting retail workers.
It would also repeal Section 22A of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980, which states that those found guilty of “low-value shoplifting” is liable to be charged with no more than 51 weeks imprisonment, with the possibility of a fine.
The new offence will have a maximum penalty of six months in prison, and/or an unlimited fine – and upon first conviction, there is a presumption on the courts to impose a criminal behaviour order, which can bar offenders from visiting given shops or premises.
The government says that the move would remove the perceived immunity granted to shop theft of goods to the value of £200 or less, as laid out in the Magistrates’ Courts Act.
It is also designed to address fears or perceptions that police do not respond to low-value shop theft.
Statistics in 2024 showed that a 20% year-on-year increase in shoplifting rates had led to the highest levels of incidents since current metrics were introduced in 2002.
This is despite a three-year drop during 2020-2022 over the course of the height of the Covid pandemic.
Joanne Thomas, Usdaw general secretary says: “The scale of retail crime is demonstrated by these police recorded crime statistics for the South East–while the rate of increase has slowed since it peaked at 37% under the last Conservative Government, the fact is retail crime continues to rise.
“Usdaw’s last survey found that this is in no way a victimless crime, with two-thirds of attacks on retail staff being triggered by theft or armed robbery. Having to deal with repeated and persistent offences can cause issues beyond the theft itself, like anxiety, fear and physical harm to retail workers.
She concluded: “We have campaigned along with many retail employers for substantial legislative measures to combat this growing problem and we are pleased that the Government has introduced the Crime and Policing Bill.
“It has passed all stages in the House of Commons and is now going through the committee stage in the House of Lords.
“We now look forward to a much-needed protection of retail workers’ law; ending the indefensible £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters and funding for more uniformed officer patrols in shopping areas, along with Respect Orders for offenders.
“Labour has also started the process of reforming police services to put a greater focus for local forces on local crime and provide Local Policing Guarantees.
“It is our hope that these new measures will help give retail workers the respect they deserve.”
