What: The British Retail Consortium (BRC) reports record-high retail crime levels in the UK, with theft costing GBP 2.2 billion annually and daily violent incidents tripling since 2020, despite GBP 1.8 billion investment in prevention measures.

Why it is important: This trend highlights the growing need for industry-wide collaboration between retailers, law enforcement, and government to develop effective solutions for protecting staff and assets.

The BRC's Annual Crime Survey reveals an alarming escalation in retail crime, with violence and abuse incidents reaching over 2,000 per day, up from 1,300 the previous year. Theft has hit unprecedented levels with over 20 million incidents annually, costing retailers GBP 2.2 billion in 2023/24, an increase from GBP 1.8 billion the year before. The situation is exacerbated by organised crime gangs systematically targeting multiple stores. Despite retailers investing GBP 1.8 billion in prevention measures such as CCTV and security personnel, satisfaction with police response remains low, with 61% rating it as 'poor' or 'very poor'. The government has pledged to address these issues through stronger measures, including removing the GBP 200 threshold for 'low level' theft and introducing a standalone offense for assaulting retail workers.

IADS Notes: The BRC's findings align with broader industry trends showing a significant escalation in retail crime and its impact. This is evidenced by November 2024 research showing 41% of retail workers expressing safety concerns during peak seasons, with 56% experiencing theft and 51% facing hostile customer interactions. The severity of the situation has led to dramatic operational changes, as seen in August 2024's "untailing" trend, where retailers implemented extreme security measures including appointment-only shopping and extensive merchandise lockup. The growing violence in retail settings is further confirmed by January 2025 data showing 91% of retail security executives reporting increased shoplifter aggression compared to 2019, leading to initiatives like Walmart's body camera pilot program. These developments collectively demonstrate how retail crime has evolved from a simple loss prevention issue to a complex challenge affecting worker safety, customer experience, and operational strategies.

Retail crime in the UK is hitting its highest level on record