Shoplifting is increasing across England and Wales to the highest level in 20-years, the year to September 2023 around 402,482 offences were recorded.
Data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Thursday shows that in the previous 12 months there was 304,459 which shows crime is up 32%.
Since records started the numbers of recorded crime by police is now higher then 400,000 for the first time.
Catherine Grant from the ONS said there is a “mixed picture of crime” and police records shows there is “notable increases in some theft offences, including shoplifting,” including a rise in thefts of motor vehicles.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said, “We’d always want to do more to combat shoplifting.
“I think there is work that has been done, particularly with private companies, about how we can go further to tackle this issue.”
