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Police Under Fire for Low Shoplifting Response Rates as Retail Crime Surges

Shop owners and retail workers across England have voiced growing concerns over a perceived lack of police action on shoplifting, claiming it has emboldened criminals and created an environment of impunity. The latest figures reveal that fewer than one in four shoplifting incidents in 2023 were attended by police, sparking demands for urgent reforms and greater accountability.

The Policing Minister, Dame Diana Johnson, has vowed to push police forces to step up their response to retail crime. She expressed her disappointment at the declining attendance rates and emphasised that shoplifting must be treated as a serious offence. “I want to see shop theft treated seriously,” Dame Diana stated. “The police need to play their part, and I want them to do far more to tackle this issue.”

Her comments come in the wake of a Sky News investigation that uncovered a dramatic reduction in police responses to shoplifting incidents over the past decade.

Dwindling Police Response Rates

Data obtained through the Freedom of Information Act paints a stark picture of the decline. In 2023, just 22% of reported shoplifting incidents were attended by police, according to responses from 22 of the 39 police forces in England. This marks a sharp drop from 52% in 2016, based on data from 17 forces, and an even steeper decline from the 72% attendance rate reported in 2013 by 11 forces.

The reduction in police attendance has been linked to years of cuts to officer numbers under the previous government. While the current government has pledged to restore police staffing levels, many critics argue that the damage has already been done.

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The Human Cost of Retail Crime

The impact of shoplifting extends far beyond financial losses. Many retail workers describe feeling unsafe and abandoned by the authorities, as criminals become increasingly brazen.

CCTV footage obtained by Sky News from a south London convenience store illustrates the growing threat faced by shop workers. On Christmas Day 2023, three individuals were caught on camera threatening a shop worker while stealing scratch cards and alcohol. The confrontation escalated into violence as the cashier defended himself with what appeared to be a spanner.

Another shopkeeper, Dennis Mariyaesan, described how he used to keep a baseball bat and pepper spray behind the counter to deter thieves. However, he said police ordered him to remove these items, leaving him feeling defenceless. “We can’t stop them, hold them, or anything,” he said. “Shopkeepers are so vulnerable at the moment.”

Dennis also criticised the lack of police attendance at shoplifting incidents, claiming it sends the wrong message to criminals. “If they know no one’s coming, what’s to stop them? They think they can get away with it every time.”

Police Defence and Resource Challenges

The Metropolitan Police defended their approach to shoplifting, emphasising that resource allocation is based on the potential for investigation and prosecution. Commander Owain Richards explained: “Our call handlers will assess each and every report and make an assessment based on available lines of enquiry.”

This includes reviewing CCTV footage, witness accounts, and other evidence before determining whether to dispatch officers. However, many shop owners argue that this reactive approach is insufficient to deter criminals or provide a sense of security for workers and customers.

A spokesperson for the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) acknowledged the challenges but insisted that police forces are committed to tackling retail crime. “Shoplifting is not a victimless crime,” they said. “It affects businesses, communities, and livelihoods. We are working with partners to improve our response.”

Calls for Change

Industry leaders and trade associations are calling for urgent action to address the surge in retail crime and the perceived lack of police response. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has described the situation as a “crisis” and is urging the government to prioritise retail crime in its law enforcement strategy.

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the BRC, said: “Retailers invest millions of pounds each year in security measures, but they cannot tackle this problem alone. The government and police must work together to ensure that shoplifting is treated as a serious crime and that perpetrators face real consequences.”

The BRC has also called for a review of the sentencing guidelines for shoplifting, arguing that lenient punishments contribute to repeat offending.

A Culture of Impunity

Shoplifting is often perceived as a minor offence, but the cumulative impact on businesses and workers is substantial. For smaller, independent retailers, the losses can be devastating.

One shop owner, who wished to remain anonymous, described how repeated thefts forced him to close a store in east London last year. “They’d come in, grab what they wanted, and walk out like they owned the place,” he said. “We reported it every time, but the police never came. In the end, we couldn’t afford to keep going.”

Such stories are becoming increasingly common, with many retailers expressing frustration at what they see as a lack of support from law enforcement.

Government Pledges and Potential Solutions

In response to growing criticism, the government has promised to address the issue by increasing police numbers and providing additional resources for tackling retail crime. The Policing Minister has also suggested exploring new technologies, such as facial recognition and AI-driven analytics, to help identify and apprehend shoplifters.

Some experts argue that community-based policing could also play a role in deterring crime. By fostering stronger relationships between police officers and local businesses, they suggest, it may be possible to create a more proactive approach to retail crime prevention.

A Call to Action

As shoplifting incidents continue to rise and police attendance rates fall, the stakes are higher than ever for retailers and law enforcement alike. Without decisive action, the growing culture of impunity threatens to undermine public confidence in the justice system and the safety of high streets across the country.

The calls for reform are clear: retailers, workers, and communities need better protection, and the police must step up to provide it. Whether through increased resources, stricter penalties, or innovative technologies, a comprehensive strategy is urgently needed to tackle the rising tide of retail crime.

For now, shop owners like Dennis Mariyaesan can only hope that the promises of action translate into real change before it’s too late. “We just want to feel safe again,” he said. “Is that too much to ask?”

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