Shoplifting in England and Wales reached an all-time high in 2024, with police recording 516,971 offences — a 20% rise from 429,873 in 2023, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
This is the highest number since records began in 2003. The ONS attributes the increase to a sharp post-pandemic rise in theft.
Retail leaders believe actual figures are significantly higher, as many store owners no longer report incidents. James Lowman, CEO of the Association of Convenience Stores, said, “The increase in shop theft shown by these figures reflects what our members are seeing every day in their stores.” He added, “Our own member survey revealed 6.2 million thefts recorded by convenience stores alone.”
Lowman stressed the importance of reporting thefts to identify repeat offenders. Despite a rise in reports, he noted it was “only the tip of the iceberg.”