In a concerning trend, shoplifting offenses in England and Wales have surged to their highest level in two decades. According to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the year ending December 2023 saw a staggering 430,104 shoplifting offenses, representing a substantial 37% increase from the 315,040 offenses recorded in the previous 12 months. This marks the highest number of shoplifting offenses since the implementation of current police recording practices in the year ending March 2003.
The ONS data also revealed a rise in theft from the person offenses, with 125,563 incidents recorded in 2023. This 18% increase from the 106,606 offenses in 2022 constitutes the highest level of theft from the person offenses in two decades, surpassing the 137,154 offenses recorded in 2004.
The concerning rise in shoplifting and theft from the person offenses has prompted major retailers to voice concerns regarding the escalating costs associated with theft. Nick Stripe of the ONS highlighted the significant increases in robbery, theft from the person, and shoplifting offenses recorded by police in the past year. The increase in shoplifting offenses alone exceeded 100,000, while theft from the person offenses reached their highest levels in two decades.
