Key summary
- 16 per cent of Brits admit to accidental shoplifting.
- Leeds tops accidental, Bristol and Cardiff lead intentional theft.
- Most intentional cases linked to childhood and tech errors.
Accidental shoplifting is more widespread than retailers might expect, with new data revealing that 16 per cent of UK shoppers admit to having walked out of a store without paying unknowingly.
According to a recent survey by Get Licensed to put the honesty of Brits to the test and reveal shoplifting habits and crime reporting trends, about one in ten Brits now admit to shoplifting intentionally.
The findings shed light on the blurred lines between honest mistakes and deliberate theft, highlighting the importance of both customer awareness and effective in-store security systems.
Women are more prone to accidental shoplifting than men (21 per cent vs. 12 per cent), while intentional theft appears more common among men (11 per cent vs. 9 per cent). Interestingly, young adults aged 25–34 were found to be the most honest, with 95 per cent claiming they’ve never stolen intentionally.
Childhood mischief plays a notable role in shaping shoplifting memories. Among those who confessed to stealing, 5 per cent said it occurred during childhood, often driven by peer pressure or curiosity.
Leeds topped the list for accidental shoplifting, with nearly one in four (23 per cent) locals admitting to the mishap. Meanwhile, Bristol and Cardiff emerged as hotspots for deliberate shoplifting, with 19 per cent of residents owning up to it.
While only 1 per cent of respondents said they stole out of necessity, other reasons included self-checkout errors or children secretly placing items in bags. One shopper even recounted leaving a store with an ironing board—completely unaware it hadn’t been scanned.
Overall, Glasgow tops the list with a moral city score of 9.14 out of 10. The highest proportion of respondents, 92 per cent, say they’d hand in a lost wallet no matter what, and not a single respondent said they’d keep it.
Interestingly, 17 per cent still admit to having shoplifted at some point, showing that even the UK’s most honest city is affected by petty theft.
Sheffield, Nottingham, Cardiff and Newcastle are among the places with worst moral score, as per the survey.