Shoplifting is spiraling out of control, with offenders becoming increasingly bold and violent due to a lack of fear of consequences, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). The issue has escalated to a point where shoplifters are now openly clearing shelves in front of customers and staff, engaging in what’s known as “kamikaze” shoplifting. In the past year, customer theft in the UK surged by 3.7 million incidents, amounting to 20.4 million thefts and costing retailers a staggering £2bn.
Alongside the rise in theft, violence and abuse against shop workers have surged by 50%, with over 2,000 incidents recorded daily on average. The BRC, representing over 200 major retailers, released these shocking statistics, which are based on a sample of retailers with more than 1.1 million employees and a market turnover exceeding £194bn.
One particularly bold “kamikaze” incident occurred at a phone store on London’s Oxford Street, where two men spent several minutes kicking down a phone stand in front of customers and employees. The display contained dummy phones, which could be sold to unsuspecting buyers online as real devices. Despite the incident being captured on video, police were unable to locate the suspects.
Helen Dickinson, CEO of the BRC, explained that shoplifters are becoming more audacious because they feel they can act without fear of facing serious consequences. With social media flooded with videos showing thieves stealing in plain sight, the trend is becoming more alarming. Retail workers are often advised not to intervene, as doing so may lead to violent retaliation from the thieves.
Retail shop owner Amit Puntambekar shared his own traumatic experience, revealing that he was punched in the face by a suspected thief earlier this year. This increasing violence has made him seriously consider quitting the business. “When your staff are threatened with a hammer, when someone threatens to kill you and the police don’t take it seriously, what’s the point?” he said.
Organized gangs are believed to be behind much of the rise in thefts, with criminals often stealing products to order. Dickinson stressed that shoplifters’ increasing boldness stems from the perception that there is little accountability for their actions.
Police resources are stretched, with more attention being given to high-profile crimes, and security guards report increasing incidents of being injured while on duty. Mitie, a major supplier of security guards to UK retailers, reported that 10% of its security personnel were injured in 2024 alone.
To counter the rise in crime, many retailers are prioritizing staff and customer safety, investing in security measures like CCTV, body-worn cameras, and increasing the number of security guards. Additionally, the government introduced a scheme in 2023, offering guidance to police on tackling retail crime, which includes prioritizing violent incidents and those involving caught offenders.
In response to the BRC survey, Home Office Minister Dame Diana Johnson called the rise in retail crime “utterly unacceptable,” echoing the industry’s long-standing calls for a new law specifically criminalizing assaults on retail workers.
The latest record levels of shoplifting should serve as a wake-up call for both the government and law enforcement. Dickinson believes that the absence of perceived consequences for shoplifters is at the root of the issue, urging increased resources and focus on tackling the problem. Towse from Mitie added that while progress is being made, further steps are required to shift the tide and restore a sense of accountability in the retail sector.
As the industry grapples with escalating theft and violence, authorities and retailers are calling for a stronger stance on enforcement, signaling a critical need for swift action to protect staff, customers, and businesses from growing crime levels.
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