Shoplifting in the United Kingdom has reached a critical point, with unsolved cases at a five-year high, sparking concerns of a growing “crime epidemic”. Analysis of Home Office data by the Liberal Democrats revealed that more than 200,000 reports of shoplifting went unsolved in the year ending July 2023, equating to 560 cases per day. This represents a 33% increase in unsolved shoplifting cases since the previous year.
In addition to the rise in shoplifting cases, separate research conducted by the Labour Party revealed that only one in 200 crimes was solved by police over the past 12 months. The lack of resolution in these cases has led to a surge in shoplifting incidents, causing retail leaders to claim that the offense has essentially been decriminalized.
Despite the escalating problem, police chiefs have resisted calls from the government to respond to every reported case, citing unrealistic expectations. As a result, some shop owners have resorted to hiring private security for protection.
The rise in unsolved shoplifting cases has raised questions about the government’s effectiveness in handling the issue. Critics argue that the decline in community policing and the reduction of community support officers have contributed to the escalating crime rates. According to the analysis, only 15% of shoplifting cases in the last year resulted in a suspect being charged or summonsed, down from 19% in 2019.
Additionally, the government’s decision to downgrade thefts of goods worth less than £200 to a summary offense, which results in minimal penalties, has been cited as a contributing factor to the rise in shoplifting. This change has led to cases being settled with a penalty notice fine of just £70 without the need for court appearances.
As the United Kingdom grapples with the growing crime epidemic, concerns about the safety of communities and town centers continue to mount. With a significant number of crimes going unsolved, the need for decisive action to address the root causes of the issue becomes increasingly urgent. The Home Office has been approached for comment on the matter.