Shoplifting in Scotland has increased 129% since 2021
The Police Scotland figures show that in the year ending September 2025, there were 48,564 recorded crimes of shoplifting
Retailers have warned shoplifters are becoming “bolder and more aggressive” after new figures revealed a rise of 128 per cent in the crime over the course of just four years.
Police Scotland said in the year ending September 2025, there were 48,564 recorded crimes of shoplifting - up from 21,175 recorded in the year ending September 2021 and 2024’s figure of 42,271 .
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said the statistics showed there was “chaos on our streets”, while the Scottish Retail Consortium said the situation was “appalling”.
Despite the surge in shoplifting across the country, just 2,854 people were convicted of the crime in 2023/24.
Mr Sarwar pointed to figures that showed police officer numbers have fallen by more than 1,000 since the formation of Police Scotland in 2013.
He said: “This SNP government has badly let down communities and retailers across the country by failing to clamp down on shoplifting, with the problem only getting worse each year.
“If elected as First Minister, I will restore local policing, ensuring that every council area has a named officer tasked with building relationships in the community and gathering intelligence on crime within local areas.”
He added: “In just three months’ time, the people of Scotland will have a choice – chaos on our streets with John Swinney, or security and justice with me and Scottish Labour.”
David Kennedy, General Secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, said the problem was caused by the lack of police officers.
He said: “The figures on shoplifting should concern everyone, but they will not surprise police officers working on the frontline.
“Retail crime is rising at pace, yet the number of police officers available to prevent, detect and investigate these offences continues to fall — particularly within local policing divisions, where visible presence and community intelligence are crucial.
“Police officers are doing everything they can, but the reality is that you cannot police growing levels of acquisitive crime with fewer officers, reduced patrol capacity, and constant abstractions from core duties. Officers are routinely taken away from frontline policing to cover gaps elsewhere in the public sector, whether that be in hospitals, courts, and mental health settings , leaving town centres, retail parks, and communities more exposed.
“Low conviction rates are not a reflection of a lack of commitment or effort by police officers. They are the inevitable consequence of stretched resources, fewer opportunities for proactive policing, and an overburdened criminal justice system that struggles to deal swiftly and effectively with offenders.
“If Scotland is serious about tackling shoplifting and restoring public confidence, there must be a renewed focus on properly resourced local policing, restoring officer numbers, and allowing police officers to do the job they joined to do, preventing crime, detecting crime, supporting victims, and keeping communities safe.”
David Lonsdale, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said shoplifting was discouraging people from visiting town centres.
He said: “It’s appalling that thieving from shops has soared by a sixth over the past year. Thieving from stores isn’t a victimless crime. It’s a key factor behind rising levels of abuse and threats towards shopworkers, puts Scots off from visiting their local high streets, and pushes up prices for shoppers.
“Despite better legal protections for shopworkers and significant investment by retailers on crime prevention we know that criminals are becoming bolder and more aggressive.
“Police Scotland are stepping up their efforts following the creation of the new Retail Crime Taskforce, backed by £3 million of taxpayer funding. The early results are encouraging which is why we are asking MSPs to back continued funding for the Taskforce in the Scottish Budget.
“To truly turn the tide on this growing problem we need the Taskforce to be properly resourced for the long term and for this greater prioritisation, funding and focus on persistent offenders and organised criminal gangs which target retailers to be seen right across the criminal justice system including in the courts. Those stealing from stores need to know they’ll be apprehended and face the consequences.”
A spokesperson for SNP Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “This is desperate stuff from the struggling Labour Party, mired as they are in police investigations and resignations.
“Last year, they failed to vote to fund the dedicated Retail Crime Taskforce that, as of last month, had seen 3,671 shoplifting charges and detections.
“Now, in this Thursday’s Budget vote, they will again point-blank refuse to fund the police to tackle shoplifting.
“This level of hypocrisy from Labour is simply jaw dropping, even from a party that everyone knows says one thing and does another.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We recognise the impact these crimes have on local communities and businesses, and we remain committed to tackling this issue.
“Our Retail Crime Taskforce, established in 2025, works alongside local policing officers to target retail offences.
“We also regularly engage with local businesses, offer security advice, and work together with a range of partner agencies to identify any crime prevention opportunities.
“We will keep working with our partners agencies and businesses to deter and investigate retail crime."
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.