Met and retailers urge Government to fast-track justice for repeat shoplifters

The news comes after new data revealed a small number of prolific offenders are responsible for a significant proportion of shoplifting offences across London. Just 104 prolific shoplifters were linked to 4,389 offences over the last two financial years (almost one-third of all incidents where a suspect was identified). It took a minimum of 31 offences before each of the offenders were given a custodial sentence.

Significant progress has already been made through closer collaboration between the police and retailers, alongside improved reporting of offences and enforcement. Last year, shoplifting across London fell by 3.7% resulting in circa 3,500 fewer offences. In addition, almost 50% more arrests were made.

In the 2025-2026 financial year, the positive outcome rate for retail crime (represented by a charge or caution) rose by 123% to 5,996 compared to 2,682 the year before.

The Met has introduced new technology to identify and arrest prolific offenders. This includes a fast-tracked Retrospective Facial Recognition (RFR) process that has achieved an 80.5% identification rate for unknown retail offenders. In one case, RFR identified a suspect linked to 52 previously unsolved offences.

Despite these results, the Metropolitan Police Service, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and The Retail Trust believe further reforms are needed to prevent prolific offenders from repeatedly cycling through the criminal justice system and continuing to offend.

Building strong cases

Metropolitan Police Service Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist stated: “We know we haven’t always delivered the right response to retail crime. Over the past 18 months, though, we’ve changed that, giving neighbourhood officers new technology to quickly identify and arrest the small number of offenders responsible for a disproportionate amount of crime.”

Twist continued: “Working hand-in-hand with retailers and sharing evidence has been crucial in building strong cases and securing charges. Where underreporting remains, we are working with the business community to ensure incidents are reported and offenders are brought to justice.”

Further, Twist observed: “While we recognise the £5 million from Government to disrupt organised retail crime, we are still seeing the same individuals come back again and again. That shows the system needs to change. This is why we are calling on the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice to take action. We stand ready to help break this cycle for good.”

Helen Dickinson, CEO at the BRC, noted: “Retailers and the police are working together to tackle retail theft and the violence and abuse that’s the everyday reality for too many of our colleagues. While initiatives such as Project Pegasus are helping to drive progress, too many offenders still face little meaningful consequence. In order to truly turn the tide on retail crime, Government must strengthen the justice system so that offenders, particularly so repeat offenders, are brought to justice quickly and effectively.”

Dickinson concluded: “These are not victimless crimes. They have a devastating impact on retail workers, businesses and communities.”

Right support

Chris Brook-Carter, CEO at The Retail Trust, explained: “Theft and assaults can have a devastating impact on people’s lives and damage their confidence, well-being and sense of safety long after their retail shifts have finished. Shop workers need to see every incident taken seriously and receive the right support afterwards so they’re not left to deal with the consequences on their own.”

In addition, Brook-Carter commented: “The Retail Trust is working with police forces and hundreds of retailers across the country to make it easier for people to report crime and abuse and receive more help to feel safer at work. These new laws will strengthen our efforts to protect retail workers by ensuring those who repeatedly target shops and intimidate members of staff will face swift and serious consequences.”

The organisations have jointly written to the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice calling for:

*fast-track court processes that bring prolific offenders before the courts within around 72 hours of being charged

*stronger and more consistent enforcement of court orders

*a clearer escalation framework for offenders who repeatedly breach Criminal Behaviour Orders

Analysis of the 104 prolific offenders also found that 97% continued offending while progressing through the criminal justice system. Collectively, they were linked to more than 1,000 additional offences beyond shoplifting.

Anthony Hemmerdinger, senior vice-president and managing director of Boots UK and Ireland, noted: “Tackling retail crime remains a key priority for Boots and we have invested significantly in capability such as surveillance cameras, body-worn video and crime reporting systems to support our colleagues and customers. We’re making encouraging progress through close partnership working with policing, including in London where we have collaborated with the Metropolitan Police Service to use technology in order to share high-quality evidence and crime intelligence.”

In addition, Hemmerdinger affirmed: “By focusing our resources on prolific offenders, supported by improved criminal justice outcomes, we can reduce shop theft and ensure that communities benefit from welcoming and safe local High Streets at all times.”

More robust approach

Dee Corsi, CEO of the New West End Company, said: “Retail crime cannot be tackled through enforcement measures alone. Businesses are rightly looking for the justice system to take a more robust approach towards those who systematically target High Street shops.”

Corsi went on to state: “There’s a vast gulf between opportunistic shoplifting and retail crime perpetrated by prolific offenders and organised groups. It’s time that those responsible for prolific and organised offending faced consequences which reflect the scale of harm caused to businesses and front line staff.”

Also, Corsi commented: “As the representative of more than 800 West End businesses, we are committed to doing our part to make the area safer and stronger. That’s why we’re investing £23 million into our security operations, strengthening our capabilities and continuing our joint work with the Metropolitan Police Service to tackle the prolific offenders and organised groups targeting our district.”