Category Archives: Shoplifting

The BBC News website reports that retail crime is “out of control” and shoplifters are carrying out increasingly brazen and violent acts of theft.

In some cases, offenders are openly clearing complete shelves of items in full view of customers and shop workers – a tactic sometimes known as “kamikaze” shoplifting.

The BBC News website reports that a woman who stole an “eye-watering” amount of cosmetics from Tesco stores across the UK has been jailed for 18 months.

Cristina Curt was part of an organised shoplifting gang which stole £48,000 worth of stock in 2024.

According to the Metro website, a group of small business owners in Haslemere, Surrey, have launched a vigilante WhatsApp group to counter the rise in ‘well-off, middle-aged’ shoplifters.

The traders send pictures on the WhatsApp group warning each other that previously identified thieves are in the area.

The Kent Online website reports that two asylum seekers went out on a shoplifting spree at Bluewater to steal expensive designer handbags to sell on.

Frans Epentrius and Tobias Iileka – both waiting for their claims for asylum to be processed – went into a John Lewis store armed with a pair of wire cutters.

According to the Simply Business website, Poundland is cracking down on shoplifters and is issuing staff with headsets – and even bodycams – as part of its Against Retail Crime initiative.

The new initiative will see all staff wearing the headsets, allowing quicker communication between workers.

An article featured on The Guardian website explores the booming resale market for Jellycat soft toys, with UK retailers reporting a surge in “Jellies” being stolen.

There is a flourishing secondary market for these toys – a result, in part, of the way the company releases limited-edition toys and “retires” favourites.