Responding to the latest Recorded Crime in Scotland
figures which show shoplifting increased by 20% over the year to
June 2026, and almost doubling over the past three years, Ewan
MacDonald-Russell, Deputy Head of the Scottish Retail Consortium,
said:
Thieving from stores has skyrocketed in recent years with over a
thousand incidents a week being recorded by police. This is
despite record spending by shopkeepers on crime prevention.
These figures highlight the sheer scale of criminality affecting
Scotland's shops. However, some of the increase of late will be
as a consequence of the new shoplifting reporting tool and
improved response to incidents from the police following the
creation last year of Police Scotland's Retail Crime Taskforce.
This doesn't obviate the need for more action, especially as
thefts are a key factor behind rising levels of abuse and threats
towards store workers. The financial cost of crime against
retailers also pushes up prices for shoppers and undermines the
health and vitality of our high streets.
To stem and reverse the rise in thefts, abuse, and anti-social
behaviour government funding for the Retail Crime Taskforce
should be enhanced to extend the Taskforce's reach and number of
hotspots targeted.
ENDS
Note 1: Recorded Crime in Scotland figures: Main Findings - Recorded Crime
in Scotland: year ending June 2026 - gov.scot
Note 2: In March the SRC and Opinium published polling showing
18% of Scots had seen shoplifting taking place in a store over
the previous 12 months.
