London, UK – Unsolved shoplifting cases in England have reached a five-year peak, sparking concerns of a widespread “crime epidemic.” According to the Liberal Democrats, over 200,000 reports of shoplifting – an average of 560 a day – went unsolved in the year ending July 2023, signaling a 33% increase since the previous year. This surge has led retail bosses to claim that shoplifting has essentially been decriminalized, with just 15% of cases resulting in a suspect being charged or summoned, down from 19% in 2019.
Opposition politicians argue that organized criminal gangs are being allowed to evade justice while shopkeepers are left vulnerable, prompting criticism of the Conservative government’s failure to address the growing crime problem. The Labour Party’s analysis found that only one in every 200 crimes was solved by the police over the last 12 months, further fueling concerns about public safety and law enforcement efficacy.
Meanwhile, in an effort to address the issue, policing minister Chris Philp announced the formation of a new police team to crack down on shoplifting, backed by £30,000 of government funding. However, the measure has been met with criticism, with the Liberal Democrats pointing out that the allocated funding amounts to just 7 pence per offense, raising questions about the effectiveness of the proposed solution.
The surge in unsolved shoplifting cases, coupled with the government’s decision to downgrade thefts of goods worth less than £200 to a summary offense, has led to widespread criticism of the Conservative’s handling of the issue. Critics argue that this move sends a signal of leniency towards shoplifting, as cases can now be handled through a penalty notice fine of just £70 without the need for the offender to appear in court.
As the debate around shoplifting and crime rates continues, concerns about public safety and the role of law enforcement persist. With shoplifting reports on the rise and a significant number of crimes remaining unsolved, the effectiveness of the government’s approach to tackling the issue is being called into question, raising further doubts about community safety and the efficacy of law enforcement efforts.