Is there a way of stopping repeat shoplifting?

About one in five shoplifting offences in 2025-26 have led to a charge or summons.

However, 285,667 reported crimes remain open cases, or they have been closed without any action being taken.

Policing Minister Sarah Jones said: “For too long, retail crime was dismissed as ‘low-level’, but we have been investing in more neighbourhood policing and working with police to ensure it’s treated as the crime it is.

“But, we’re going further. We’re changing the law to ensure there is no concept of immunity for shop theft, regardless of the value of the goods stolen, and we’re exploring a trial to crack down on the repeat offenders responsible for much of this crime.”

The government says it is also exploring other ways of tackling prolific shoplifting – in addition to prison sentences and drug treatment – including court orders preventing offenders from visiting certain shops or areas.

A number of forces have started using live facial recognition technology, while in Sussex some repeat offenders are now monitored using electronic GPS ankle tags.

Croydon could become the first borough in London to tag and track prolific shoplifters.

Assistant Chief Constable of Merseyside Police Alex Goss, who is the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for retail crime, said: “It is important to recognise the significant progress that has been made.”

He said: “The strategy is delivering real results by bringing together policing, retailers, government and industry partners to strengthen information sharing, improve offender management, reduce violence against retail workers and develop more effective ways of reporting and investigating retail crime.”

Additional reporting by Jonathan Eden

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