UK retailers using the Auror intelligence platform to record crime and link incidents to repeat offenders have reported a 24% drop in violent events. High street stores in London and Manchester report a 21% and 20% reduction in the rate of in-store violence, respectively.
Retailer data highlights repeat offender impact
Retailer reporting in Auror also showed the top 10% of offenders are responsible for up to 70% of retail crime. Data from Auror retailers across the UK showed 8.9% of recorded events were violent in 2025, falling to 6.8% this year. Repeat offenders were up to four times more likely to be violent.
Mark Gleeson, general manager of Auror for the UK and Europe, said: “There’s broad recognition that high levels of violence and organised crime are impacting our high streets, and this new data shows retailers are committed to doing something about it.
Retailers collaborate to fight crime
“Retailers have been world-class in their approach to get on top of this issue; understanding that creating safer high streets is a shared responsibility, and have responded by coming together as a network to fight back.
“Stores are able to make more informed decisions about risk and safety by focusing on the top offenders driving the majority of harm, and using that intelligence to work more effectively with police.
Cases linked to violent offenders
“Retailers are doing a phenomenal job, but we know there’s still more to be done to create safer retail spaces for everybody. “Structured crime reporting, continued collaboration with police, and responsible risk detection technology for retailers will be key to building on this progress into the future.”
Retailers already using the platform include Greggs, CeX, Holland & Barrett and Boots. Auror says it wants to help retailers cut violent retail crime by 50% in five years by supporting them with technology, stronger partnerships and risk detection tools.
Violent events can include assault, physical abuse, use of weapons, and serious forms of aggression. Cases recorded this year included: UK-wide: A violent offender connected to more than 60 events in Manchester, London and Norwich was linked to £50,000-worth of stolen products. London: Retailers helped uncover a multi-million pound organised crime group, with £500,000 of stolen product seized in July. Glasgow: seven major retailers linked a known violent offender to more than 70 crimes across 19 different stores from Clydebank to Rutherglen and central Glasgow in July. Glasgow: six retailers connected 72 events to an erratic offender who offended across the city. Manchester: a highly aggressive offender across three retailers was connected to 90 events and £10,600 in stolen products across Altrincham, Sale and Manchester, in September. Leeds: An aggressive offender linked to 45 events and £12,700 in stolen products was sentenced in July.
