High streets hit by record crimewave

SHOP bosses are facing “unprecedented levels” of crime with police recording more than 750,000 offences in town centres last year.

- By Michael Knowles Home Affairs Editor

The Home Office said there were 750,522 incidents of “acquisitive crime” in high streets, including robbery, up from 636,074 in 2023.

The haul recorded by police includes a record number of shoplifting offences, with the number rocketing past 500,000 for the first time.

There were 530,643 such offences in 2024-25, up 20% from 442,022 the year before and the highest number since police began collecting the stats in 2002.

Hammers