Almost 290,000 shop theft cases went unsolved in 2024-25, up from 245,337 the previous year, according to House of Commons Library research.
Over half (55%) of investigations in England and Wales failed to identify a suspect, while just one in five (18%) cases resulted in a charge.
The figures produced for the Liberal Democrats found almost 800 offences a day went unsolved last year.
The party is calling for the government to scrap Police and Crime Commissioners so that “resources can be properly allocated according to communities’ needs”, it said.
It comes after Matthew Barber, Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, said it was up to the public to ‘challenge’ shoplifters in their community instead of relying on police officers.
Local Lib Dems MP for Maidenhead Joshua Reynolds - and former retail worker - said the comments were “reckless and dangerous” and accused police chiefs of trying to “pass the buck” to the public for tackling shoplifting offences.
Thames Valley Police force had a shoplifting conviction rate of 17%. A figure “firmly below the national average”, said the Lib Dems.
London Metropolitan Police had the lowest rate in the country, with only 5.9% of cases resulting in a conviction.
Reynolds added: “These shameful figures show that the police are failing to crack down on the shoplifting epidemic facing our country.
“The suggestion by a Conservative police chief that it’s up to the public to stop shoplifters was both reckless and dangerous. I’ve worked in retail so I know what it feels like to have to confront shoplifters - it’s frightening and it’s dangerous.
“Senior police chiefs should be protecting us, not passing the buck to the public. It’s time for the government to scrap Police and Crime Commissioners and invest the money in frontline policing instead. That way we can get more bobbies on the beat and stop this lawlessness on our high streets.”
A statement from Barber said: ”As I said in my original comments in June, I am not expecting everyone to be rugby tackling criminals to the ground. I am also not expecting people to put themselves in harm’s way, but this is about being aware and as a minimum reporting shoplifting to the police.
“I encourage retailers, shop workers and the shoppers to report crime so the police can act. It’s their job to investigate and fight crime, including shoplifting. But we can all play a part in building a safer community – at the very least reporting crime we see, rather than accepting it.”
A Thames Valley Police spokesperson told Convenience Store: “We’re fully committed to tackling retail crime and supporting victims. We welcome the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner’s comments about the role the public can play in reporting shoplifting but we would also advise that they avoid putting themselves at risk.
“Our officers are trained to respond swiftly and safely to shoplifting and related offences so any victims or witnesses should call 999 at the time. To report after the fact, call 101 or go to our website.”
Shop theft in England and Wales soared 20% last year, topping 530,643 offences compared to 444,022 the previous year.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics’ latest crime report marked the highest level of incidents since police began recording shoplifting statistics in March 2003.
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