Sky News investigation reveals a sharp decline in police response to shoplifting, raising concerns about rising retail crime and worker safety.
The policing minister has said she wants forces 'to do far more' to tackle shoplifting after figures obtained by Sky News showed fewer than one in four incidents were attended to by officers in 2023. Dame Diana Johnson blamed declining officer numbers under the previous government but also said she wanted to 'see shop theft treated seriously…and the police need to play their part'.
She was reacting to figures obtained by Sky News under the Freedom of Information Act that reveal officers turning up to fewer and fewer incidents over the last decade. Just 22% of shoplifting incidents were attended to immediately by police in 2023, based on responses from 22 of England’s 39 police forces. In 2016, data from 17 forces gave an attendance rate of 52% - more than twice the 2023 figure. While in 2013, figures from 11 forces suggested an attendance rate of 72% - more than three times higher than a decade later. Looking at just the 2013 and 2016 data sets, a clear trend of declining attendance rates is seen. Some of the police forces who responded to our request said this was because of modern more remote investigation techniques. Others said that while officers may not always attend crime scenes immediately, they will often follow up at a later date if there are credible lines of enquiry. However, store owners and workers have complained that a lack of police attention towards retail crime has created an atmosphere where criminals believe they can steal with few repercussions. Earlier this year the British Retail Consortium said violence and abuse against retail workers had risen substantially to 1,300 per day in 2022/23. Sky News has seen CCTV showing one shop worker in south London being threatened by three people on Christmas Day 2023. The thieves steal scratch cards and spirits and attempt to assault a cashier, who fights back with what appears to be a spanne
SHOPLIFTING POLICE ATTENDANCE RETAIL CRIME OFFICER NUMBERS SAFETY
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Repeat Offender Wayne Cook Jailed for Multiple Shoplifting IncidentsA 55-year-old repeat offender, Wayne Cook, was sentenced to 38 weeks in prison for a series of shoplifting incidents in Newark, Nottinghamshire. The offenses ranged from stealing perfume and gift sets to Warhammer models and meat, affecting several businesses.
Read more »
Faces of people police want to help them with latest Telford shoplifting investigationsPolice in Telford have shared images of a number of people they want to speak to as part of investigations into shoplifting.
Read more »
Glasgow police crackdown on shoplifting in city centre as two arrestedOn Tuesday, November 26 local officers, supported by Retailers Against Crime, carried out warrant checks targeting prolific offenders throughout the city centre.
Read more »
Exeter Shoplifting Surge Fuels Police CrackdownDevon and Cornwall Police launched a shoplifting day of action in Exeter, targeting prolific offenders amid a 38% increase in reported shoplifting in the region.
Read more »
Devon police officer given community order after shopliftingThe Devon and Cornwall Police officer previously pleaded guilty to a charge of theft from a shop.
Read more »
Police outline three-point plan for tackling festive shoplifting in AyrArea Commander Inspector Stuart Dougan was asked about concerns at a South Ayrshire Council meeting.
Read more »