Dramatic rise in shoplifting in West Midlands 'deeply concerning' as retailers attacked

A union says it's "deeply concerned" after police forces in the West Midlands saw a dramatic rise in shoplifting offences reported in the areas they protect. The significant increase was seen in the county in the 12 months leading up to September 2024.

New Office for National Statistics figures, released last week, showed a huge increase in shoplifting incidents across West Midlands constabulary areas. Areas protected by West Midlands Police topped the list with a massive 32 per cent rise.

Warwickshire was next with a 31 per cent increase in shoplifting, followed by Staffordshire which shot up by 24 per cent. Shoplifting in West Mercia remained at the same level.

READ MORE: Solihull gunmen jailed after police threatened with firearm after stopping Mercedes

Retail trade union Usdaw said it was "deeply concerned" by the crime statistics. It said, across the whole of England and Wales, there was a trend of persistent quarterly increases - with incidents having doubled since the pandemic.

Usdaw found that 17 per cent of 4,000 retail workers surveyed by the union suffered a violent attack last year. That figure was only 8 per cent in 2022.

Seven in 10 respondents said that incidents of violence, threats and abuse they’d experienced were triggered by theft or armed robbery. And British Retail Consortium's annual crime report showed that retail violence and abuse had spiralled to over 50 per cent to more than 2,000 incidents a day in 2024.

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw general secretary, said: “The scale of the epidemic of retail crime is laid bare in these shocking police recorded crime statistics and the BRC report. Crime has a very direct impact on the viability of stores, as retailers go to increasing lengths and expense to make them secure and safe.

"Communities are blighted by anti-social behaviour and store closures. Staff are working in fear of the next incident of abuse, threats or violence. It is increasingly common for retail stores to be targeted by organised crime gangs stealing to order."

Mr Lillis said the union was pleased to that the Government will be introducing the Crime and Policing Bill. He added: "We now look forward to a much-needed protection of retail workers’ law.

"Thus ending the indefensible £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters, which has effectively become an open invitation to retail criminals; and funding for more uniformed officer patrols in shopping areas, along with Respect Orders for offenders. It is our hope that these new measures will help give retail workers the respect they deserve.”