23 October 2025
Bira has said the latest Office for National Statistics figures showing a 13% increase in shoplifting offences to 529,994 incidents confirm the retail crime crisis that independent retailers across Britain have been experiencing daily.
Bira said the investment in local communities would help its members take pride in their shops and high streets, following years of calling for more targeted investment based on local needs.
Whilst overall theft offences recorded by police have decreased by 4%, the sharp 13% rise in shoplifting - alongside a 5% increase in theft from the person to 145,860 offences - demonstrates that retail crime continues to surge. These sharp rises since the pandemic show no sign of abating.
However, Bira's own crime survey shows the vast majority of crimes now go unreported - 91% of physical abuse incidents and 47% of thefts - because retailers have lost faith in police response. When incidents are reported, only 16.7% lead to prosecution. This means that Bira believes the true scale of retail crime is far greater than even the official ONS figures suggest, with repeat offenders accounting for nearly 70% of incidents according to Bira members.
Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said: "We welcome the Government's commitment to 3,000 additional neighbourhood officers by March 2026 and the Crime and Policing Bill measures, including ending the £200 theft loophole and creating a new offence for assaulting retail workers. However, we urge swift implementation of the Government's Winter of Action - the renewed focus on tackling shop theft in town centres following the summer crime blitz - and call for consistent police response standards across all forces.
"We would also like to see greater use of community behaviour orders (CBOs) in order to deal with the perennial offenders. Independent retailers are the backbone of our high streets and need visible support now to protect their businesses, their staff, and their livelihoods."
Bira said it will continue to monitor crime figures through its bi-annual crime survey of independent retailers and will be presenting these findings to the Home Office, police forces, and policymakers across the UK, calling for sustained action to protect Britain's high streets.
Access an exclusive discount on this innovative stock security solution
Bira members receive 10% off their order by simply requesting a quote from Chirp Protect.
Click the link below to get started.
Listen to our podcast special on retail crime...
Step inside the mind of shop thieves as leading criminologist Professor Emmeline Taylor and Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre reveal the psychology driving retail crime.
Image credit: josemiguelsangar/stock.adobe.com
Latest News
-
Independent retailers urge Chancellor to turn growth ambition into action on business rates
Bira has welcomed the Chancellor's growth ambitions but says independent retailers now need to see the benefit in their own cost base.
-
Landmark independent retailer to reopen iconic sport branch
Independent retailer Hurleys is reviving its iconic Hurley Sport name with the reopening of a dedicated menswear store.
-
High street warning as TG Jones store closures begin
Bira has cautiously welcomed a fall in recorded shoplifting offences, while warning that official figures likely understate the true scale of retail crime facing independent businesses.
-
Bira calls action to disrupt global fraud and cyber crime networks a 'welcome development'
The UK is working with the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand to strengthen international efforts to tackle fraud and online scams.