Shoplifting hits record high levels

THE number of shoplifting offences recorded by police in England and Wales in a year has passed half a million for the first time, figures show.

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A total of 516,971 offences were logged by forces in 2024, up 20% from 429,873 in 2023.

The figure is the highest since current police recording practices began in the year to March 2003, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Shoplifting offences have been running at record levels for the past two years and have seen a “sharp rise” since the Covid-19 pandemic, the ONS said.

Meanwhile 152,416 theft from the person offences were recorded last year, up 22% from 125,379 in 2023 and the highest number since current data began in 2003.