Shoplifting in Scotland soars to 10-year-high level

Shoplifting in Scotland has reached a 10-year high, shows the recent figures, while Tories blamed the SNP’s “weak justice” for the meteoric rise in shoplifting.

Figures published in the Records Crime in Scotland 2023-24 report how that shoplifting has hit almost 40,000 offences in the past year, with acts of theft rising by 41 per cent in 10 years. Retailers warned the figures obscured the real number of cases as lack of confidence in the police meant many were not reported.

The data shows that shoplifting has hit a ten-year high, following it rising continuously since 2014 – bar an initial dip in 2019 due to Covid-19 restrictions. During 2023-2024 alone, shoplifting has soared by 35 per cent to 38,674, a figure which the Scottish Retail Consortium director David Lonsdale called “appalling”.

“It’s appalling that shoplifting has soared to a 10-year high. Despite record spending by retailers on crime prevention the rate of thefts continues to rise. In fact, these figures won’t even capture the full picture as many thefts aren’t reported by retailers as they believe little action will be taken,” said Lonsdale.

“Shoplifting isn’t a victimless crime. As these new figures show, shoplifting is the main factor behind abuse and threats towards shop workers and we know from member feedback that thieves are becoming bolder and more aggressive. The financial costs too are enormous and are ultimately borne by shoppers themselves; in some cases through higher prices on shop shelves.

Lonsdale added, “With a swathe of new mandated rules in the pipeline which may lead to more flashpoints in store, the SRC wants tackling crime against retailers to be made a greater priority by the authorities, including in the Scottish Government’s Strategic Police Priorities, to ensure our retail destinations are made safer.”

Meawhile, Tories blame SNP's weak approach as the main reason behind the shoplifting spike.

Russell Findlay, the Scottish Tories’ shadow justice secretary, said: “The sickening rise in violence on Scotland’s streets is a direct consequence of 17 years of SNP underfunding of policing and neglect of the wider justice system. Their weak justice agenda benefits criminals and betrays victims.

“The shocking rise in retail crime, which endangers staff, harms business and drives up prices for everyone is also due to SNP weak justice. Despairing retailers, who are at the heart of our communities, feel abandoned and unprotected with shoplifting effectively now decriminalised by John Swinney’s government.”