Prime Minister Keir Starmer has suggested the tide could be turning on shoplifting, citing a 17% rise in the number of people charged for the offence. Speaking at the Usdaw trade union conference, Starmer highlighted the role of technology, such as CCTV footage shared instantly with police, in tackling retail crime.
Official figures show annual shoplifting offences in England and Wales surpassed half a million for the first time last year. However, the latest data from the Office for National Statistics indicates a 1% fall in police-recorded shoplifting in 2025, though changes to counting rules mean comparisons with 2024 are not direct. Starmer noted that combined shoplifting and robbery of business property rose 1% in 2025.
The Prime Minister condemned the abuse faced by shopworkers and reiterated the government's commitment to introducing a new offence of assaulting a retail worker. He also highlighted the scrapping of the rule that prevented proper investigation of thefts under £200. The government's crime and policing bill aims to reclassify theft and strengthen protections for retail staff.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp accused Starmer of being part of the problem, claiming shoplifting had risen 8% under Labour and that police numbers had dropped by 1,300 in the past year. Meanwhile, a Harris Poll UK survey found 85% of the public support banning repeat shoplifters from stores.
Usdaw General Secretary Joanne Thomas acknowledged a small decrease in shoplifting but stressed that retail crime remains a significant issue. Alex Baldock, CEO of Currys, welcomed the new standalone offence for aggression against retail workers, while Ed Woodall of the Association of Convenience Stores said the bill would help reset the narrative on shop theft.
