Most independent retailers have experienced theft in past one year while many had to verbal abuse, shows the latest report on retail crime levels in the UK.
Independent retailers across the UK continue to face stubborn levels of retail crime and alarmingly more retailers are choosing not to report theft incidents to police, according to the latest survey conducted by the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira).
The bi-annual survey, conducted every six months to map out levels of retail crime affecting independent businesses, was completed in April 2025.
It collected responses from independent retailers across various sectors, providing a comprehensive picture of the current retail crime landscape.
According to the survey, 80.26 per cent of retailers have experienced theft in the past 12 months, an increase from 72.34 per cent in the previous survey (October 2024).
About 90.16 per cent of these incidents occurred during opening hours.
While 39.76 per cent of retailers experienced verbal abuse, with 58 per cent noting it has increased compared to the previous year, physical abuse incidents have decreased, with 3.7 per cent of retailers experiencing such incidents (down from 10.7 per cent).
15 per cent of respondents experienced cybercrime incidents.
The survey also finds that only 6.7 per cent of reported thefts led to prosecution, with half of all reported cases seeing no police attendance.
50.82 per cent of retailers chose not to report theft incidents, up from 47.8 per cent in the previous survey. Conversely, reporting has improved for other incidents: verbal abuse (20.6 per cent now report, up from 11 per cent), physical abuse (30.77 per cent, up from 22.8 per cent), and cybercrime (71.4 per cent, up from 23.81 per cent).
The human impact is evident in retailers' comments.
One described aggressive confrontations: "Verbal challenges at the till for reasons unrelated to product or services. Known criminals in the area shouting bad language."
Others expressed frustration with police response: "Why bother. They don't turn up for full scale burglaries so aren't likely to turn up for a spot of verbal abuse."
The types of theft range from opportunistic to organised. One retailer shared: "Recently had two men in who stole £700 hand tools in approximately three minutes when staff were distracted."
The survey also revealed shifts in targeted goods, with one retailer noting: "It used to be that specific items would be stolen to order but now it's anything that can be sold on."
Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said, "The results of our latest crime survey are deeply troubling. We're seeing a sustained increase in criminal activity, coupled with reduced police response. Our members are caught in the crossfire, and it's clear that current measures are failing to protect them."
The survey also highlighted a disturbing trend of stolen goods appearing for resale, with 22 per cent of retailers who experienced theft spotting their merchandise being resold online or at local markets.
Despite last week's announcement from the Prime Minister about plans to increase police presence on high streets, and the February 2025 Crime and Policing Bill which Bira cautiously welcomed at the time, retailers continue to report significant issues. The bill included stricter penalties for shoplifting of items under £200 and making it a specific offence to assault a shop worker.
Goodacre added: "The national retail crime action plan was launched in September 2023 and it is hard to see much difference at shop level. However, we are hearing mixed feedback about the buy-in from individual police forces. We have a national problem that merits a national, co-ordinated response."
Bira will be presenting these findings to the Home Office and police forces across the UK, advocating for improved police response rates, stronger sentencing, better use of community banning orders for repeat offenders, and increased funding for rehabilitation programs.
