The latest figures released today (23 July) from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have shown a drop in levels of retail crime. Following a recent rise in shoplifting, there was actually a 1% decrease (to 509,566 offences) in the year ending December 2025, compared with the previous year (516,611 offences).
Other slight falls revealed in the ONS’ report were seen in crimes such as domestic abuse, incidents involving weapons and robbery. The full report can be read here.
Now, the national president of the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed), Hemanshu Patel, has reacted with cautious optimism at signs retail crime may be starting to level off.
Commenting, Patel said: “The Fed has consistently highlighted our members’ concerns about the high levels of retail crime and theft affecting independent retailers across the country - today’s figures suggest the situation may be beginning to stabilise, but the problem remains far too serious.
“While there are encouraging signs that retail crime may be levelling off, overall levels remain far too high and significant underreporting means the true scale of the problem is still not fully understood.
“Behind every incident is an independent retailer and their staff who deserve to feel safe…”
“Retail crime is not a victimless offence. Behind every incident is an independent retailer and their staff who deserve to feel safe at work. No one should fear going to work simply because they are serving their local community.
“I discussed this issue with the Crime & Policing Minister, Sarah Jones MP, at the Home Office when I was Vice President of the Fed last year, and we continue to engage with the Government, Home Office officials, policing partners and others to press for further action.
“We continue to call on the Government to do more to support small retailers by making crime easier to report, strengthening neighbourhood policing, giving Trading Standards and other enforcement agencies the resources they need, and considering a dedicated retail crime grant scheme for independent retailers.
“We also welcome this week’s announcement that neighbourhood policing numbers have increased by 22.2% since March 2025. It is a positive step, but much more remains to be done before independent retailers feel properly protected.”
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has also welcomed the fall in crime rates. Chief executive, Ed Woodall (left), said: “Tackling theft, abuse, robbery and other retail crime remains is a top priority for local shops, with over half a billion pounds spent in the last two years on crime prevention and detection measures.
“The official figures continue to highlight the challenges facing convenience stores, but we welcome significant positive steps that have been made throughout the last year on increasing the visibility and accessibility of police forces in communities.
“We must continue to focus on making it as straightforward as possible for retailers to report crime, for incidents to be responded to swiftly, and for interventions to be targeted at breaking the cycle of reoffending that blights communities across the country.”
Crime & Policing Minister, Sarah Jones (below right) added: “Shop theft has now fallen for a second consecutive period - dropping 4% in just the last year. Charges are up 19% in the last year alone, and almost one in four shop theft offences now lead to a charge.
“After years of neglect, we’re making a difference. This is what happens when retail crime is finally treated with the seriousness it deserves.”
Elsewhere, Chris Brook-Carter, chief executive of the Retail Trust, was also cautious: “Any reduction in retail crime is welcome, but today’s figures shouldn’t lead us to believe the job is done. Too many retail workers continue to experience abuse, threats and violence that can have a lasting impact on their confidence, wellbeing and sense of safety.
“We’re beginning to see stronger protections through the Crime & Policing Act, alongside closer collaboration between retailers, police forces and organisations working to better protect shop workers. That momentum must continue so that every retail worker feels confident reporting incidents, knows they’ll be taken seriously and has access to the support they need if they’re affected.
“Success won’t be measured by crime figures alone, but by whether people working in retail genuinely feel safer…”
“Our work with retailers and partners across the UK to improve reporting, provide practical training and ensure colleagues don’t have to cope with the impact of abuse on their own continues. Ultimately, success won’t be measured by crime figures alone, but by whether people working in retail genuinely feel safer, better supported and more confident every time they come to work.”
Also commenting today, Matt Dawes (left), head of enterprise at UK body-worn camera company, Halos, said: “Any reduction in shoplifting is welcome news for the retail industry, but it can’t become a reason for businesses to lower their guard.
“Frontline workers still face abuse and aggression while simply doing their jobs, and much of that may never reach official crime statistics. Even when the overall number of offences falls, individual incidents can have a lasting effect on staff confidence and wellbeing.
“Retailers should be making sure employees are not left to manage these situations alone or be expected to put themselves at risk. Investing in training and technology that can deter abuse and make sure staff feel properly supported when something happens needs to remain a priority.
”Falling shoplifting figures are encouraging, but the real measure of progress is whether people on the shop floor actually feel safer.”
No comments yet