Greggs trials cabinet removals amid rising shoplifting figures

Claim 1 Shoplifting offences in England and Wales exceeded 500,000 in the previous year, representing an approximate 20% increase compared to the year before.

Evidence The Office for National Statistics recorded 530,643 shoplifting offences for the year ending March 2025, which is about a 20% rise from the prior year. BBC reporting confirms the same figure and percentage increase.

Verdict True.

Analysis The ONS data provides the official count, and the BBC corroboration shows consistency across sources. The increase aligns with broader concerns about retail crime on the High Street.

Claim 2 Greggs has removed display cabinets and is testing a new store format in specific London locations (Croydon, Peckham, Whitechapel, Upton Park) and in Birmingham and Wilford, Nottinghamshire, as a response to high shoplifting.

Evidence Greggs announced trials that replace open cabinets with secure counters in Croydon, Peckham, Whitechapel, Upton Park, Birmingham and Wilford, citing shoplifting as the driver. The company describes the moves as targeted and temporary while assessing impact on theft and customer experience.

Verdict True.

Analysis The stated locations match the pilot program, and the rationale directly links to rising shoplifting figures. Greggs also notes it is sharing incident data with police to speed up response.

Claim 3 The UK government has announced the addition of 3,000 neighbourhood police officers and the removal of an informal prosecution threshold for thefts under £200.

Evidence Ministers confirmed an extra 3,000 neighbourhood police officers and said the informal £200 limit on prosecuting low‑value thefts would be dropped. The announcement was accompanied by a new offence for assaulting retail workers.

Verdict True.

Analysis Both measures aim to strengthen police presence and improve prosecution prospects for retailers. The changes follow public criticism of retail crime and are intended to complement store‑level actions like Greggs’ cabinet removals.

Watch for results of Greggs’ cabinet‑free trial and any further government updates on retail crime policing.