The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has received recognition from retail leaders after recent figures suggested a reduction in reported shop thefts.

While shoplifting across the UK has continued to rise, Northern Ireland appears to be showing a slight decline, highlighting the impact of policing and crime prevention efforts.

Shop theft trends in Northern Ireland

According to the latest PSNI data, the number of reported shoplifting incidents in Northern Ireland fell to around 8,500 in the year ending June 2025.

This follows a sharp increase of 20% the previous year, when incidents rose from approximately 7,500 to nearly 9,000. Retail experts note that while the decrease is encouraging, shop theft remains above historical averages for the region.

Neil Johnston, Director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC), acknowledged the PSNI’s efforts, suggesting that the drop may reflect the effectiveness of police intervention.

“The hard work of the PSNI is paying dividends,” he said, while emphasising that sustained investment from both retailers and law enforcement is essential to maintain these improvements.

Calls for stronger protections for retail staff

Retail leaders continue to push for additional measures to safeguard staff. Johnston highlighted the need for Northern Ireland to adopt legal protections similar to those in England, Scotland, and Wales, where assaulting retail workers is a standalone criminal offence.

The NIRC, in partnership with trade union USDAW, has urged Justice Minister Naomi Long to introduce comparable legislation.

The planned law aims to protect public-facing workers from abuse, including physical assault, which remains a concern for employees across the retail sector in Northern Ireland.

Resource and policy considerations

Johnston also called on the Northern Ireland Executive and the Policing Board to recognise the ongoing scale of shop theft and ensure the PSNI have sufficient staff and resources.

“Retailers and the police need to keep up the good work,” he said, noting that continued investment in crime prevention and enforcement is critical to reduce incidents further.

The NIRC emphasises that political support in Stormont will be key to passing new legislation and strengthening protections for retail workers.

Leaders hope that all Assembly Members will prioritise the issue in upcoming sessions to address both shoplifting and worker safety comprehensively.