Retail crime is becoming “endemic” in Scotland, with some businesses experiencing thefts from their stores every day, shop owners have warned.
Industry representatives told 1919 that some businesses have stopped routinely reporting shoplifting incidents as they are increasingly sceptical of any action being taken.
The comments come in the wake of a Police Scotland report which warned of a huge rise in the number of young teenagers accused of shoplifting.
It suggested that the increase is partly driven by new sentencing guidelines for under-25s which were introduced at the beginning of 2022.
These put the emphasis on rehabilitation rather than punishment, meaning young people are less likely to be given short jail sentences.
The report, presented to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), said many young people have now come to view shoplifting as a “low risk, high reward” crime.
It also said that under-18s are more likely to be pressured into shoplifting or recruited by criminal gangs specifically to carry out the offences.
Figures show there has been an increase in the number of teenagers named as the accused in crimes recorded as ‘theft by shoplifting’ over the past five years.
In 2023/24 alone, a total of 663 13-year-olds were named in such crimes recorded by Police Scotland, a rise of 61 per cent on the figure for 2019/20.
There has been a well-documented rise in shoplifting across the UK. In Scotland, recorded shoplifting crimes are up 40.9 per cent compared to 2019/20.
The paper presented to the SPA said the rise is generally being driven by the increasing cost of living, as well as “high demand” for stolen items and cheaper products both domestically and internationally.
It also highlighted the prevalence of self-service tills, fewer retail staff including security staff, and ‘non-confrontation’ policies where employees are advised not to give chase or challenge shoplifters in case they are hurt or injured.
“We encourage our members to report every crime, but many retailers don’t see the point if the police and courts don’t have the resources to deliver justice”
Dr Pete Cheema, Scottish Grocers’ Federation
The paper said shoplifting is often seen as an “appealing venture”, suggesting that this is particularly the case for “those under the age of criminal responsibility and under 25, who will be aware of potential criminal justice outcomes for shoplifting and see it as a low risk/high reward crime”.
It added: “There is also a realistic possibility that organised criminals are recruiting under-18s to carry out shoplifting offences for them, and the continued issues of young [people] being pressured into shoplifting are ever present.”
Dr Pete Cheema, chief executive of the Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF), told 1919 that the report “only confirms what retailers and SGF have been saying for the past two years”.
He added: “Retail crime is now endemic in Scotland, with our members facing daily cases of shoplifting, costing the average store around £12,000 a year. What makes matters worse is staff and retailers having to face threatening behaviour and violence week in, week out.
“As highlighted in the report, the perpetrators believe there will be no consequences whatsoever for their crimes, and unfortunately that is true more often than not.
“We encourage our members to report every crime, but many retailers don’t see the point if the police and courts don’t have the resources to deliver justice.
“No-one should have to come to work and be forced to put up with anti-social behaviour, abuse and theft from anyone. However, it is true to say that we are hearing more cases of crimes being carried out through organised gangs, and we have been told of situations where the individual was acting on behalf of one of those groups.
“When it is a young person, it makes the situation even worse. Retailers have very little recourse, and often the person will live locally and be back in the store shortly afterwards.
“The damaging impact of retail crime is far more than the loss of stock, it is permeating through communities and local businesses and harming the wellbeing of staff and their families.”
David Lonsdale, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said many shop owners do not even report all cases of shoplifting as they are “sceptical that action will be taken”.
“Much more needs to be done to combat prolific offenders and the organised criminal gangs targeting stores, who may well be recruiting young people for their own nefarious ends,” he added.
“That’s why we’ve applauded the new £3 million fund that Scottish ministers have awarded Police Scotland in order to target retail crime.
“Thefts from stores isn’t a victimless crime, indeed it’s the leading factor behind the unacceptable levels of abuse and violence towards shop workers.
“The financial costs too are enormous and are ultimately borne by shoppers themselves through higher prices on shop shelves.”
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “Retail crime causes significant disruption and harm, especially for shop workers, and any increase in these types of incidents, including where children are involved, is concerning.
“That is why if MSPs back the Scottish Government’s draft budget, we will make £3 million available in 2025/26 to help tackle retail crime.
“This is in addition to an investment next year of a record £1.62 billion for policing – an increase of £70 million on 2024/25.
“I condemn any violence against retail workers, and would always encourage retailers to report all crimes to Police Scotland.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “While we have seen an increase in reports of thefts by shoplifting, there has also been an increase in detection of this type of crime. Charges have been brought in nearly half of all reported incidents.
“We work closely with retailers through the Scottish Partnership Against Acquisitive Crime Strategy to deter, prevent and investigate all reported crime.
“Young people are vulnerable to exploitation and become involved in shoplifting for many reasons. We work with partners, including local authorities, to tackle this complex issue, safeguard youngsters and keep our communities safe.
“Campus officers and Police Scotland Youth Volunteers regularly speak to young people to highlight the impact of shoplifting.”