The claim
“Shoplifting offences in England and Wales exceeded 500,000 in the past year, a rise of about 20% on the year before.”
Coverage of the ONS crime figures published in April 2026.
Our verdict
Misleading
Offences did exceed 500,000, but the latest figures, to December 2025, show a small fall, not a 20% rise; the 20% rise was in the year to March 2025.
What we found
The ONS figures published in April 2026 show 509,566 police-recorded shoplifting offences in the year to December 2025, down from 516,611. The 20% increase applied to the year to March 2025, when offences reached 530,643. Using that older rise for the latest year is misleading.
The evidence
1 of 2 sources contradict the claim; none support it.
How we checked
We checked the claim against Asian Trader, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. We reviewed 2 relevant sources.
Sources
- [1]Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce · Shoplifting falls for first time in years but retailers warn levels still too high
- [2]Asian Trader · Shoplifting soars: 530,000 incidents reported
Have evidence we missed?
If you know of a source that confirms or contradicts this claim, send us the link. We review every submission and update fact checks when new evidence changes the picture.
Measured Take updates fact checks when new evidence emerges. Corrections are noted on the page.
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