Kamikaze Shoplifting and Rising Pensioner Theft: How Retail Crime Is Impacting Your Local High Street

Britain is witnessing a sharp surge in “Kamikaze” shoplifting—brazen thefts carried out openly and without fear of consequence—and a new crime map reveals Gloucestershire’s high streets among the hardest hit in the South West. In 2024, police in England and Wales recorded over 500,000 shoplifting offences, a staggering 20% increase from the previous year and the highest figure on record in more than two decades.

Gloucestershire Constabulary reported 4,302 shoplifting cases this year, up 5%. More than half of retail employees (56%) have witnessed Kamikaze thefts in their workplaces, according to research by SafetyCulture. About 13% witness such theft daily, and over a third (37%) see it at least once a week.

The British Independent Retail Association (Bira) describes this rise as a “tipping point.” Some shoplifters now openly steal goods in full view of staff and customers, confident they will face no repercussions. Meanwhile, security firms report an alarming increase in pensioner shoplifting, attributed largely to cost-of-living pressures. John Nussbaum of Kingdom Service explained: “We’re seeing a new level of crime, with pensioners—those unlikely to have shoplifted before—now involved.”

Local police data highlights the worst-affected areas within Gloucestershire. Central Gloucester & Hempsted recorded 785 shoplifting offences last year—the highest regionally and second only in the South West to Bath’s Central area, which saw 922. This equates to an incident roughly every 11 hours in Central Gloucester. Other hotspots include Coney Hill, Barnwood & Abbeydale in Gloucester with 325 offences, and Cheltenham’s Pittville & Fairview (320) and Lansdown & Montpellier (251).

Jeff Moody, Bira’s Chief Commercial Officer, expresses deep concern over these escalating figures. “A 20% increase to half a million shoplifting reports signals retail crime spiralling out of control, with independent retailers hit hardest. The boldness of Kamikaze shoplifting—stealing in open view—is especially alarming. Our April survey found that over 80% of independent retailers experienced theft in the past year, mostly during open hours. Disturbingly, half have stopped reporting thefts due to a lack of faith in police response.”

Moody adds that the effects extend beyond immediate losses. Independent shops operate on tight margins, and theft undermines their survival. Nearly 40% of retailers face verbal abuse and confrontations, contributing to staff feeling vulnerable and demoralised. “When criminals steal openly with impunity, we’ve crossed a critical threshold. These crimes affect real people and the fabric of our high streets.”

Despite the severity, crimes are underreported, and the courts must send a clearer deterrent message, says Moody. The call for urgent police action aims to protect the backbone of Britain’s retail communities.

Data covers more than 7,000 neighbourhoods in England and Wales (excluding Greater Manchester) and focuses on designated middle-sized populations. Notably, shoplifting at train stations is excluded as British Transport Police record those separately.

Retail theft, previously labeled an “epidemic” by Dame Sharon White in 2023, continues to climb. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) estimates a £4.2 billion annual cost to retailers, combining £2.2 billion lost to shoplifting and £1.8 billion on crime prevention.

Graham Wynn from the BRC warns: “Retail theft triggers violence against staff and is often linked to organised gangs targeting multiple stores. It’s not a victimless crime—it raises costs for shoppers and harms the in-store experience.”

Top Gloucestershire areas by shoplifting offences include: