Thousands of shoplifters let off with slap on wrist

609% increase in police warnings over only three years

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while warning a “lack of deterrent” is making the problem worse.

According to statistics received through freedom of information legislation, the number of recorded police warnings (RPWs) handed out for shoplifting has soared more than 600% in the space of just three years.

RPWs are used by police and are a formal warning for minor offences, and issued to those who are aged 16 and over.

An RPW allows the accused to avoid court and a criminal conviction, although it does stay on police records for two years.

Police Scotland have stopped investigating some minor crimes such as bike thefts and vandalism due to a lack of staff and money. Under the new system, if there is no evidence, the force simply records the crime but officers don’t look into it.

The use of recorded police warnings has increased in recent years, with thousands being handed out.

In 2022-23, there were just 298 RPWs given out for shoplifting, with this increasing to 1,416 in the space of a year, and then rising even further to 2,114 in 2024-25 — up 609%.

A new crackdown on shoplifters was announced last year but, while welcomed by retail bosses, they have urged for more action.

Shop thefts have soared 17% in the last year, with 47,381 incidents reported in 2024 alone.