The Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) has raised the alarm after newly published crime figures reveal a 17 per cent increase in shop thefts across Scotland over the past year, reaching more than 47,000 reported incidents.
The consortium urged sustained and even expanded support for police operations and action against persistent offenders.
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Shop theft rise puts pressure on staff and shoppers
David Lonsdale, director at the SRC, described the rise in shoplifting as “appalling”, stressing that despite “record spending by retailers on crime prevention”, theft remains on the rise. He warned that such crime fuels abuse and threats towards shop workers.
According to member feedback, shoplifters are growing “bolder and more aggressive”. Financially, the burden falls not just on retailers but also on consumers, through higher prices and weakened high street vitality.
Taskforce and funding offer early signs of progress
The SRC acknowledged that Scottish Ministers and Police Scotland have introduced a Retail Crime Taskforce, backed by £3m in funding for one year.
Initial industry reactions have been positive, with expectations that the taskforce will create tougher conditions for shop thieves.
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By GlobalDataThe SRC called for that funding and focus to be maintained and strengthened to effectively reverse the upward trend.
Broader picture of retail crime across UK
This surge in Scotland reflects a wider national challenge. In England and Wales, shoplifting reached a record high in 2024 with more than 516,000 offences—a 20 per cent increase from the previous year.
The British Retail Consortium estimates actual incidents might be far higher, with about £2.2bn lost annually to theft and another £1.8bn spent on crime prevention, including CCTV and security staff. Increasing violence and abuse towards retail employees is also being reported.
