Britain’s cost-of-living crisis has caused a spike in shoplifting
Amid a series of economic woes, including those caused by the Ukrainian conflict, the United Kingdom is experiencing a boom in shoplifting. Most of these crimes are committed not by professional criminals, but by dilettantes who steal the cheapest products, the Daily Mail reports.
The cost-of-living crisis in Britain has triggered a boom in shoplifting. At the same time, most of the offenders go to such a crime for the first time, writes the Daily Mail citing supermarket managers.
The number of thefts has risen sharply since the beginning of the year. They continue to increase after a spike in prices caused by the Ukrainian conflict, “because of which many Britons can barely make ends meet,” according to the publication.
Retail chain owners point out that amateurs are clearly behind the upsurge in offenses. Unlike professional shoplifters, who usually steal expensive items in order to resell them later, they steal even the cheapest products.
“The situation is definitely getting worse,” admits retail analyst Brian Roberts of Shopfloor Insights. The crime rate is “off the charts,” he said.
Some stores have reintroduced one-way entry and exit points. They were previously used during the pandemic to help customers keep a social distance, but now make it easier to track visitors. Others have beefed up security measures with staff and surveillance cameras.
Earlier, UK Chief Inspector of Police Andy Cook warned that the cost-of-living crisis was “leading to more crime.” But he urged law enforcers not to rush to prosecute offenders who “steal for a living”.
Cook urged that his words not be taken as “carte blanche” for shoplifting or as protection for those pushed to crime by poverty. Nevertheless, the official’s speech is sure to anger retail chain owners, who consider the overly lenient treatment of supermarket theft “irresponsible,” the Daily Mail concludes.
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