Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many thefts from retail businesses there have been in each of the last three years.
Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)
Since 2010 theft offences experienced by the general population has fallen by 48%, according to the Crime Survey for England and Wales, but shoplifting has been increasing in the last three years, as shown in the table.
Calendar Year | Number of Shoplifting offences |
2021 | 256,199 |
2022 | 315,040 |
2023 | 430,104 |
Source: ONS Crime in England and Wales: year ending December 2023, Appendix Table A4.
There must be a zero tolerance approach to such crime which is why, alongside key partners, this Government is taking concerted action to address the menace of retail crime. The Government’s plan – "Fighting retail crime: more action" was launched on 10 April, and highlights five areas of work this Government will drive forward to tackle retail crime:
Asked by: Andrea Jenkyns (Conservative - Morley and Outwood)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what percentage of retail theft reports have resulted in a charge in each of the last 10 years.
Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)
The latest Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) estimates showed that on a like for like basis crime has fallen by 56% since 2010.
Retail crime, including shoplifting and violence and abuse, is not acceptable and the Government takes this issue very seriously. I expect police to take a zero-tolerance approach to it.
Whilst the downward trend in charge rates is concerning, I welcome the 29% increase in charges for shop lifting offences in the latest statistics.
The Home Office routinely publish statistics on crimes recorded and charges and is the latest information can be accessed via the links below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-recorded-crime-open-data-tables
Mentions:
1: Chris Philp (Con - Croydon South) There is a lot more to do, particularly on shoplifting, vehicle crime and knife crime, which I will come - Speech Link
2: Chris Philp (Con - Croydon South) mobile phone photograph of someone taking a car, closed circuit television footage from a shop where shoplifting - Speech Link
3: Chris Philp (Con - Croydon South) Lady briefly mentioned shoplifting, which is a matter of extreme concern. - Speech Link
May. 16 2024
Source Page: I. Letter dated 14/05/2024 from Laura Farris MP and Chris Philp MP to Alex Cunningham MP, Alex Norris MP and others regarding the third and final tranche of Government amendments tabled for Report Stage of the Criminal Justice Bill: tackling retail crime, nuisance rough sleeping. 3p. II. Criminal Justice Bill: Supplementary delegated powers legislation. 2p. III. Criminal Justice Bill: European Convention on Human Rights. 6p.Found: behaviour orders: assault of retail worker ” and “Requirements in certain sentences imposed for third shoplifting
Apr. 10 2024
Source Page: Prime Minister launches retail crime crackdownFound: Criminal Justice Bill, if an offender is found guilty of assaulting staff three times, or is sentenced for shoplifting
Dec. 13 2023
Source Page: FOI responses published by MOD: week commencing 11 December 2023Found: Please provide how many police officers attended a premise where shoplifting had been reported.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking with relevant authorities to help reduce instances of car theft in (a) Romford constituency and (b) England.
Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government recognises the significant impact theft has on businesses, communities, and consumers. The Crime Survey for England and Wales shows neighbourhood crime is down 51% compared to findings from the year ending March 2010.
We have recently taken significant steps to improve the police response to acquisitive crime, including car theft and shoplifting. The National Police Chiefs’ Council has made a commitment that police forces across England and Wales will follow up all crimes where there is actionable evidence and the chance of identifying an offender. His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) have commenced a thematic inspection on the effectiveness of police investigations which will include an assessment of how police forces are implementing the reasonable lines of enquiry commitment.
The Government is working closely with police and motor manufacturers through the National Vehicle Crime Working Group, chaired by ACC Jennifer Sims, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for vehicle crime, to take forward a programme of work to prevent and reduce vehicle crime nationally. A network of vehicle crime leads has been established in every police force in England and Wales, ensuring forces share information about emerging trends in vehicle crime and are better able to tackle regional issues. The Metropolitan Police Service are represented on the Working Group and have an established vehicle crime lead.
We are legislating through the Criminal Justice Bill to create two new offences where a person possesses, makes, adapts, supplies or offers to supply electronic devices where there are reasonable grounds to suspect they will be used in vehicle theft. The legislation will make it easier for police to prosecute criminals making and supplying these devices, as well as vehicle thieves.
In October 2023, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) published the Retail Crime Action Plan - October 2023.pdf (nbcc.police.uk). Through this Plan, all forces across England and Wales have committed to prioritise police attendance at the scene where violence has been used towards shop staff, where an offender has been detained by store security, and where evidence needs to be secured and can only be done by police personnel. Additionally, where CCTV or other digital images are secured, police will run this through the Police National Database to aid efforts to identify prolific offenders or potentially dangerous individuals.
We are continuing to work closely with retail businesses, security representatives, trade associations and policing through the National Retail Crime Steering Group (NRCSG), which meets on a quarterly basis, to ensure the response to retail crime, including shoplifting, is as robust as it can be.