Draft budget confirmed continued funding for next three years to
tackle retail crime.
A police-led taskforce will continue its work to tackle
shoplifting and violence against staff after securing funding in
the draft budget for 2026-27.
The Retail Crime Taskforce was launched in April last year
following £3 million investment from the Scottish Government to
combat a rise in retail crime.
In the first year of operation, the Taskforce's targeted approach
to prevent, pursue, protect and prepare in areas identified as
most at risk has resulted in 3,671 shoplifting charges and
detections.
A further 508 charges under the Protection of Workers (Scotland)
Act 2021 for offences against retail workers have been made along
with a total of 807 arrests.
The funding announcement of a continued £3 million each year for
the next three years, in the Scottish Government's recent draft
budget for 2026-27, comes in addition to an overall Police
Scotland budget increase to over £1.7 billion – a rise of £81.5
million, or 5%, compared to the 2025-26 Autumn Budget Revision.
Community Safety Minister said:
"Shop workers deserve to feel safe, and retailers deserve to
trade without fear of shoplifting. In less than a year, Police
Scotland's Retail Crime Taskforce has provided a visible and
measurable impact on retail crime, working directly with
retailers to prevent offending, pursue criminals, and protect
shop workers.
"That is why the Scottish Government is providing a further £3
million in each of the next three years to continue this vital
work – both preventing crime and ensuring offenders are held to
account.
"This is in addition of a record £1.7 billion policing budget,
enabling Police Scotland to deliver on frontline priorities and
progress its transformation agenda."
Mark Millar, Director of Stores for Boots in Scotland, said:
“Tackling retail crime is a collaborative effort, so we are fully
committed to working with the Scottish Government and Police
Scotland to ensure that our retail stores and high streets remain
vibrant, welcoming, and safe environments for our store teams and
customers. As an active member of the Retail Crime Taskforce
since its inception, we welcome this funding which will
strengthen our ability to share intelligence between Police and
disrupt public offenders.”
Assistant Chief Constable, Police Scotland, Tim Mairs said:
“Since April 2025, the Retail Crime Taskforce has assisted local
policing divisions across the country in tackling retail offences
and bringing those responsible to justice.
“During this time over 3,600 crimes have been detected and more
than 800 arrests made as a direct result of Taskforce-supported
enforcement activity. In addition, our commitment to crime
prevention has seen us liaise with numerous outlets throughout
Scotland to offer specialist advice aimed at improving security
and enhancing the safety of retail workers.
“The additional three-year funding we have received from Scottish
Government is recognition of the significant progress made in the
last nine months, but we know more must be done to tackle retail
crime and we will not become complacent in our efforts to reduce
crimes such as shoplifting and the assault and harassment of
retail workers.”
Background
The Retail Crime Taskforce was established following the launch
of Police Scotland's action plan to tackle retail crime in March
2025. Operating under four key objectives – Prevent, Pursue,
Protect, and Prepare – the Taskforce focuses on stopping people
from becoming offenders, bringing perpetrators to justice,
strengthening protections for retailers, and developing direct
reporting systems.
The Taskforce works alongside the Scottish Partnership Against
Acquisitive Crime (SPAACE), a Police Scotland-led initiative that
brings together retail groups and partners to tackle a range of
acquisitive crimes including theft and housebreaking.
Scotland's justice system provides robust legal protections for
retail workers. The Protection of Workers (Scotland) Act 2021
created a specific offence to hold accountable those who assault
or abuse shop workers.
Retail Crime Force headline achievements to 23rd January 2026.
3,671 shoplifting charges and detections
508 charges under the Protection of Workers (Scotland) Act 2021
for offences against retail workers
807 arrests made
2,100 suspects identified by the Taskforce
39 Organised Crime Groups identified
82 disruptions against Organised Crime Groups
1,060 intelligence logs submitted
233 electronic briefings disseminated to partners and local
divisions.
