Shoplifting incidents reach new high as charge rate across country falls
Labour has called on the government to scrap their anti-shoplifting policy
New research has found that shoplifting offences have risen to record high levels, whilst the rate for those charged with shoplifting has dropped.
According to data from the Home Office, there were over 402,000 offences for shoplifting recorded in England and Wales for the year ending in September 2023.
The figures equate to an average of 8,000 offences a week, with 1,100 offences taking place every day.
Analysis from the Labour Party has also seen that the number of people charged with shoplifting offences in the same period went down by a quarter over the course of five years.
From 2018 to 2023, police forces across the country found that the charge rate for shoplifting-related offences went down from an average of 20% to 15%, with a drop of 10,000 charges.
Despite the drop in charges for shoplifting, there has been no alternative penalties implemented, suggested that many thieves have been able to get away with their crimes.
Looking at the results, Labour MPs, who are working with the USDAW and the Co-op Party have called on the government to scrap its Shoplifter's Charter, which had been brought in in 2014.
Yvette Cooper, Labour's Shadow Home Secretary said that should the party get into government at the next election, Labour will get rid of the charter and establish a new Community Policing Guarantee, which she said will bring in "13,000 more neighbourhood police and PCSOs to crackdown on shoplifting and keep the public safe."
The Home Office says serial or abusive shoplifters will face tougher punishments.