A shocking rise in shoplifting offences across England and Wales, with unresolved cases soaring and police response declining, exposes government complacency amid a growing retail crisis.
New analysis exposes a concerning surge in shoplifting across England and Wales, with a staggering 793 offences each day going unresolved in 2024-25. The figures, gathered from police forces by the House of Commons Library, reveal nearly 290,000 cases closed without suspect identification—a sharp increase from about 245,000 the previous year. This alarming trend pushes total recorded shoplifting offences to a record 530,643, a 20% jump from 444,022 in 2023-24—marking the highest figure since records began in 2002-03. Such figures underscore the failures of a government that has taken a hands-off approach, leaving communities to face rising crime with declining support from law enforcement.
London’s Metropolitan Police, which should be a frontline in combating theft, has shown the poorest response, with nearly 77% of its 93,705 shoplifting cases unresolved and less than 6% resulting in charges. The city’s shoplifting incidents have surged by over half in 2024 compared to the previous year, with nearly 90,000 offences recorded—a testament to the neglect and mismanagement at the heart of the Capitol. Furthermore, Metropolitan Police data between April 2022 and April 2023 reveals police attended just 38% of shoplifting calls, illustrating their limited capacity to respond effectively amid a deluge of crime.
In the West Midlands, shoplifting rose by 29%, with 26,145 cases to June 2024, starkly outpacing the national average increase. Other areas, such as Reading in Thames Valley, saw similar troubling trends, with offences rising by almost 700 to 2,606 in 2024. These regional figures paint a bleak picture of a nation failing to protect its retail sector and vulnerable communities from a crime wave fueled by political complacency.
Official statistics for the year ending March 2025 show that over half (55.3%) of shoplifting cases closed without identifying a suspect; only 18.5% led to charges or summons. The median time to close investigations has grown from 7 to 10 days, revealing that police resources are stretched beyond breaking point—yet the government remains passive, refusing to prioritize crime prevention.
Retailers—those on the frontline—are increasingly vocal about their frustration. Disturbingly, some now report a disturbing rise in shoplifting by pensioners, blaming economic hardship and the cost of living crisis. Such social issues are being exploited by criminals and overlooked by ministers, who seem more interested in political posturing than delivering real security or justice.
In a misguided attempt to address the crisis, Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber suggested civilians should intervene if they witness shoplifting, potentially putting ordinary citizens at risk. This reckless advice drew sharp criticism from retail workers and MPs alike, who condemned it as “reckless and dangerous.” Critics argue that police failure, combined with this laissez-faire attitude, has emboldened thieves and worsened a breakdown in law and order. Yet, the government continues to neglect the root causes, failing to back police with the resources needed to restore safety or hold offenders accountable.
This escalating epidemic of shoplifting reveals a government entirely disconnected from the realities facing communities and businesses. Instead of implementing strong crime measures or restoring discipline to our streets, the authorities have abdicated responsibility, leaving the public to fend for themselves in a lawless environment. The time has come for a shift away from failed policies and towards a government willing to prioritise law and order ahead of political posturing. Ordinary citizens deserve security, and a decisive stance against crime is long overdue.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents recent statistics on shoplifting in England and Wales, with figures from the year ending March 2025, published in July 2025. This aligns with official data from the Office for National Statistics, which reported 530,643 shoplifting offences in the year ending March 2025, marking a 20% increase from the previous year. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/shoplifting-surges-20-two-decade-high-england-wales-2025-07-24/?utm_source=openai)) The report also highlights a 29% rise in shoplifting offences to 469,788 in the year ending June 2024. ([ons.gov.uk](https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/bulletins/crimeinenglandandwales/yearendingjune2024?utm_source=openai)) The narrative’s timeliness is supported by these official statistics, indicating a high freshness score. However, the Express article’s publication date is not specified, making it challenging to assess its freshness fully. Additionally, the narrative includes a call for government action, referencing the Retail Crime Action Plan launched in October 2023, which is consistent with the timeline of the official data. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/action-plan-to-tackle-shoplifting-launched?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from various individuals, such as the Co-op’s Campaigns Director Paul Gerrard and the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners’ Katy Bourne. These quotes are consistent with statements made in official government publications, such as the Retail Crime Action Plan. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/action-plan-to-tackle-shoplifting-launched?utm_source=openai)) However, without access to the original Express article, it’s difficult to verify if these quotes are directly sourced from it or if they have been used in other publications. The use of direct quotes from reputable sources suggests a moderate level of originality, but the lack of direct verification lowers the score.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative references official statistics from the Office for National Statistics and statements from reputable organisations like the Co-op and the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners. However, the Express article’s credibility is uncertain due to the absence of a specified publication date and the lack of direct access to the article. The reliance on a single, potentially unverified source introduces a moderate level of uncertainty regarding the overall reliability of the narrative.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative’s claims about the surge in shoplifting offences and the government’s response align with recent official statistics and actions. The 20% increase in shoplifting offences to 530,643 in the year ending March 2025 is consistent with the narrative’s figures. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/shoplifting-surges-20-two-decade-high-england-wales-2025-07-24/?utm_source=openai)) The government’s Retail Crime Action Plan, launched in October 2023, also supports the narrative’s claims about governmental measures to address the issue. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/action-plan-to-tackle-shoplifting-launched?utm_source=openai)) The consistency between the narrative’s claims and official data suggests a high level of plausibility.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents recent statistics on shoplifting in England and Wales, aligning with official data from the Office for National Statistics. It includes direct quotes from reputable sources, though the Express article’s credibility is uncertain due to the absence of a specified publication date and lack of direct access. The claims about the surge in shoplifting offences and the government’s response are consistent with recent official statistics and actions. However, the reliance on a single, potentially unverified source introduces a moderate level of uncertainty regarding the overall reliability of the narrative. Therefore, the overall assessment is ‘OPEN’ with a medium confidence level.
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