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Record Unsolved Shoplifting Cases Spur New Push on Retail Crime in England and Wales

A Liberal Democrat plan for CCTV grants in small shops puts fresh scrutiny on a government crackdown that pledges more neighbourhood officers.

Overview

  • Police closed 295,589 shoplifting cases in 2024–25 with no suspect identified, averaging about 810 a day.
  • Official data show 530,643 shoplifting offences were recorded between April 2024 and March 2025 in England and Wales.
  • Only around 19% of shoplifting cases resulted in a suspect being charged or summoned in the latest year.
  • The Liberal Democrats propose grants and loans of up to £6,500 per independent convenience store to install modern CCTV.
  • The Home Office cites a Winter of Action with more than 16,000 arrests and fines and a pledge to deploy 3,000 extra neighbourhood officers by spring.