40% of Shoplifting Cases at Co-op Go Without Police Involvement

According to research conducted by the Co-op, police failed to attend 40% of shoplifting incidents where undercover store staff detained the offender. Last year, Co-op guards detained 3,361 shoplifters, yet nearly two in five of them were able to walk away as police did not respond despite being notified.

 

This revelation comes amidst the backdrop of the Co-op reporting over 330,000 shoplifting incidents last year alone, marking a significant 44% increase from the previous year and averaging nearly 1,000 incidents daily. While the Co-op acknowledges some improvement in police attendance following a nationwide commitment by the 43 forces in England and Wales to address the surge in thefts, a substantial portion of shoplifters still evade justice.

 

Police forces committed to attending shoplifting incidents under certain conditions, such as instances involving violence against store workers, detainment of suspected thieves, or the need to secure evidence. However, police chiefs assert that it is not feasible for officers to respond to every shoplifting incident, citing resource constraints and competing priorities.

 

As the Co-op and law enforcement continue to grapple with the challenges posed by rising shoplifting rates, questions persist regarding the efficacy of current strategies in deterring and addressing this pervasive issue.