Retail crime in the UK has reached alarming new heights, spiraling out of control and hitting its highest level on record. According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the staggering theft alone is costing retailers approximately £2.2 billion annually. The latest figures released on January 30, 2025, reveal the depth of the problem, with theft incidents exceeding 20 million—over 55,000 incidents each day.
The BRC's Annual Crime Survey for 2023/24 indicates not only the prevalence of theft but also the troubling rise of violence and abuse incidents. Shockingly, there are now over 2,000 reported incidents of violence or abuse every day, up significantly from 1,300 the previous year. These incidents range from physical assaults to threats involving weapons, with 70 incidents involving weapons reported daily—more than doubling from the previous year.
Retail crime, particularly theft, has surged to unprecedented levels. This increase is closely associated with organized crime syndicates systematically targeting stores throughout the UK. The BRC reports these gangs are allegedly stealing tens of thousands of pounds worth of goods, moving cleverly among various retail locations to evade detection.
The growing tide of organized crime is alarming to retailers and employees alike, contributing to intense stress and anxiety among workers. Retailers have been forced to invest significantly, with the total cost of crime prevention hitting £4.2 billion. This figure comprises £1.8 billion spent on security measures such as CCTV, enhanced security personnel, anti-theft devices, and body-worn cameras, marking the highest level of investment on record.
While there’s considerable concern about the staggering costs associated with theft and crime, satisfaction with police response has also plummeted. The BRC's survey found 61% of respondents rated police responses to incidents as either ‘poor’ or ‘very poor.’ Among the remaining respondents, only 29% rated the police response as ‘fair’, with merely 9% indicating satisfaction.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, articulated the frustration faced by retailers, stating, “Every day this continues, criminals are getting bolder and more aggressive. We owe it to the three million hardworking people working in retail to bring the epidemic of crime to heel. No one should go to work in fear.” The feeling of insecurity resonates strongly among retail workers, many of whom now fear for their safety.
A staggering report from the Retail Trust reveals nearly half of retail workers surveyed express concerns for their personal safety, with nearly two-thirds admitting they feel stressed and anxious about going to work. Chris Brook-Carter, chief executive of the Retail Trust, reinforced this sentiment, saying, “Almost half of the retail workers we’ve surveyed told us they currently fear for their safety and nearly two thirds are stressed and anxious going to work due to this unacceptable level of retail crime.” Many employees contact the charity’s helpline, sharing alarming experiences of violence and abuse, with some feeling overwhelmed and at their breaking point.
Despite these continuous hardships, retailers are collaborating with organizations like the Retail Trust to mitigate the mental health toll stemming from rampant retail theft and violence. There is heightened pressure for stronger measures to be instituted to deter such criminal behaviors from occurring. The government has pledged to address the rise of retail crime through more stringent measures targeting shoplifting and anti-social behavior, with plans to remove the £200 threshold regarded as ‘low level’ theft. The Crime and Policing Bill also aims to introduce stand-alone offenses for assaults on retail workers.
Continuing her call for action, Dickinson highlighted the need for police responses to match the gravity of incidents faced by retailers. “With little faith in police attendance, it is no wonder criminals feel they have license to steal, threaten, assault, and abuse. Retailers are spending more than ever before, but they cannot prevent crime alone. We need the police to respond to and handle every reported incident appropriately,” she stated.
This persistent crime wave is not only impacting the safety of retail workers but is also contributing to broader economic pressures. Retailers face constraints on investment as they divert rising funds to combat crime, pushing up prices for consumers across the board. The BRC's report is both a wake-up call and rallying cry for immediate action to address the spiraling epidemic of retail crime.
Remaining vigilant, retailers have underscored their commitment to fostering safe working environments for their employees amid these concerning trends. Industry leaders continue to push for policies and practical solutions to curb the rise of aggression and lawlessness encountered daily. The urgency is palpable; it is imperative for the government and law enforcement to step up and provide the support needed to protect retail employees and restore faith in public safety measures.
Only then can retailers and their employees feel secure going to work each day, confident they can serve their communities without fear of violence or criminality encroaching on their daily duties.