UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced a new plan to tackle the repeat offenders who blight communities by regularly stealing from stores.
Around 500 of the worst retail crime offenders in the country will now face tougher restrictions, under a new crackdown launched today (11 November).
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The targeted programme will see up to 18 police forces target the repeat offenders in their area who are responsible for a disproportionate amount of shop theft. The police will intensify their efforts against this group to stop their offending once and for all.
Police, probation and other partners will work from a single personalised plan to get a better handle on the right approach for each individual case - for example, building stronger cases for the courts and bringing together evidence of multiple offences - to ensure real consequences.
Tougher restrictions
Offenders will also face “tougher restrictions and more coordinated management,” the Government said, including more effective use of Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs), which can ban repeat offenders from high streets and town centres.
Other measures could include closer monitoring of perpetrators through Intensive Supervision Courts, which subjects them to more regular hearings in front of a judge, as well as tagging where appropriate.
Those who don’t comply or breach conditions can face further enforcement action - including imprisonment in the most serious cases.
Immigration enforcement will also be brought in where relevant, to ensure the breadth of powers available when dealing with foreign national offenders is utilised more quickly.
“A small number of offenders commit a disproportionate amount of shop theft.”
Mahmood said: “A small number of offenders commit a disproportionate amount of shop theft. They wreak havoc on our high streets, leave businesses out of pocket and make retail workers scared to go to work.
”Under this government, shop theft is starting to fall, and more offenders are getting charged. But now we’re going further by targeting those who are causing so much harm to our communities and stopping them in their tracks.”
The new activity is due to start in stages from early next year, with the aim to mobilise across all areas by spring.
Losses down
According to Met Police data, Operation Kelleher, a targeted crackdown in Bromley in 2025, slashed recorded retail crime by 70%. Some shops reported stock losses down by as much as 80%.
The operation homed in on just 10 offenders responsible for a significant amount of retail crime across the borough, leading to arrests and charges, with CBOs secured against several offenders. One shop saw its weekly losses fall from £7,000 to just £400.
Alongside the latest enforcement crackdown, offenders will be subject to court-ordered requirements. As well as being tough on crime, the Home Office states that this pilot will be tough on the causes of crime, tackling the drivers of offending - like drug and alcohol addiction - to break the cycle.
An extra £2.5 million in overall funding will be available to support participating forces and local partners, which will be tailored to what is needed in each area.
NPCC response
Police leaders wwre quick to welcome the announcement today. ACC Alex Goss, the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s (NPCC) lead for retail crime, said: “Many forces and local partnerships are already delivering impressive work to collectively tackle this crime type, including providing training and support for retailers, advising on effective crime prevention methods such as the use of security systems and investment in technology, as well as developing reporting processes that make it quicker and easier for businesses to share information with the police.
“We welcome the Home Secretary’s announcement today, which provides policing and partners with additional support to tackle some of the most prolific retail crime offenders who continue to cause harm to businesses, retail workers and local communities.
“The programme aims to develop and test a more intensive, multi-agency approach to a small cohort of prolific offenders to reduce repeat offending, improve outcomes for retailers and communities, and provide an evidence base for future national policy.
“Nationally, we’ll continue to work closely with the Home Office and police forces to support development and implementation of the pilot and build on the progress already being delivered to tackle retail crime.”
Trade response
The chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), Ed Woodall, also welcomed the new plans.
He said: “The majority of theft from convenience stores is carried out by prolific offenders that are often known to retailers, the local community and the police and do enormous damage to responsible businesses.
“We have long called for the justice system to find effective ways to get criminals out of the cycle of reoffending and welcome these measures which we hope will make a big positive difference in the communities where this pilot is targeted.”
The Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) has also backed the new measures. Its national president, Hemanshu Patel, said: “The Fed has been calling for stronger action on retail crime for some time, making clear to government that persistent offenders cannot be allowed to continue targeting independent retailers and their staff with little consequence.
“The real test will be how these measures are delivered on the ground.”
“We welcome the Home Office’s focus on repeat offenders and the recognition that more needs to be done to tackle this problem. However, the real test will be how these measures are delivered on the ground. Retailers need to see offenders being dealt with, police taking action, and shopworkers feeling safer in their workplaces.
“Retail crime is not a victimless offence. It affects livelihoods, damages businesses and undermines the communities that independent retailers serve. We will continue to press government to turn these commitments into meaningful action.”
More to do
Finally, Paul Gerrard, director for campaigns, public affairs and policy at Co-op, said: “We welcome the Government’s continued focus on tackling retail crime, particularly the harm caused in communities by repeat and prolific offenders.
“Retail crime has a real impact on colleagues, customers and communities, so this targeted approach, combining strong enforcement with action on the root causes of offending, is another important step forward - sending a loud and clear message as we enter Respect for Shopworkers Week.
“While we’ve seen a welcome reduction in retail crime at Co-op, more needs to be done and we need to continue to work together to deliver long-term meaningful change for communities.”
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